2025 Mizzou Rugby

Senior Drew Blomquist arrived at Mizzou having never played rugby — a former high-school footballer who came out after being heckled into it at Speakers Circle, and who stayed late after his first practices because he could not yet pass the ball. He was elected vice president in his sophomore year and took over as president a year later, inheriting a club with almost no money, few sponsors and inconsistent leadership. He raised sponsorship and ran fundraisers to steady the finances, and, with the side short of coaching last year, took much of that role on himself.

An MCL injury this season — his leg collapsing inward when another player was tackled into it — threatened to end his college career, and he continued as a leader and mentor from the sideline while hoping to return in the spring. Under his leadership the club has reached Nationals four years running.

Vice president Nick Weaver said Blomquist was always looking after everybody and pushing the side to do better. Coach Cháuncéy Hatten, looking ahead to the Heart of America tournament against Kansas in April 2026, said the club had a chance to do something special: “How can I not believe in somebody that believes in themself like that?”