By RYAN WALKER
Norwell’s Sam Bradford signed his national letter of intent to play rugby for Trine University in the high school commons area Tuesday afternoon.
The senior, who played in summertime tournaments hosted by Optimum Performance Sports with his cousins, was nervous leading up to the big day but is excited to get started with the Thunder.
“It’s been quite the ride so far moving through this point. I was getting a little bit nervous up and down with whatnot,” he said. “I’m glad I finally did it, you know, (being) a senior now. I don’t think I’m ready to miss the whole team aspect of the sport and all the people around, so I’m really glad to have this opportunity to play at Trine and further that experience. I’m really excited. I can’t wait.”
His new head coach, Danny Breda, is just as excited to have Bradford sign with his team.
“Building a new program, we’re excited to have good athletes that are just really excited to grow with us,” he said. “He’s a big sturdy guy. I think he’s also a good athlete and an accomplished football player, and I like his attitude. I like that he’s really excited to get started to play rugby and try something new.”
Trine is a Division III athletic program that competes in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletics Association. According to the academic website, the school’s fall enrollment was at 8,446.
On the rugby side of things, the program is brand new, starting competition for the first time in the fall of 2022. The Thunder, according to the team’s homepage, posted a record of 1-3 with its first program victory against Central Michigan University. Trine also played against Notre Dame, Purdue, and Ferris State in the regular season.
One of Bradford’s cousins that plays the sport, Joe Schroder, also attended Trine and is now playing for the U.S. Olympic rugby team. During his college time, Trine did not have a rugby team and instead was on the cheerleading squad for four years. Schroder was a big part of introducing the sport to him.
Breda says that he sees Bradford fitting into the lineup at the prop position, more specifically as a tighthead. He describes the position as equivalent to what Bradford played for Norwell football as an offensive tackle/guard, but in rugby, he will be able to carry the ball and play both offense and defense.
Since coming to Trine, Breda has been looking to build the new program, and that was a determining factor in Bradford’s decision.
“Danny is a great guy,” Bradford said. “I kind of know him through my cousin Joe. He went to Trine and played rugby as well. He kind of let me know what he was about. I just really respect what he’s trying to build there at Trine, and I think he’ll be a great leader, team leader, and group member that I’m excited to get to know.”
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