The University of Delaware has reinstated the men's rugby team for the 2015-16 season, cutting short what had been a five-year suspension of the program stemming from a party that became a school-body-wide event that made national news.

Despite strong evidence that the rugby team as an organization had nothing to do with the September, 2013 party, or how it expanded throughout the nearby town, the program nevertheless received a five-year suspension, effectively ending men's rugby in Delaware.

But work has been going on behind the scenes to get Blue Hen Rugby back, and today that happened. 

In a statement, the team said, in party: 

On behalf of the University of Delaware Men's Rugby Team, we are excited to announce that the Rugby Club has been reinstated for the fall season of 2015. The team will operate in partnership with the University to ensure the program yields top performing students, players, and leaders on and off the pitch. 

The team deeply regrets and takes full accountability for its actions leading to the suspension and is looking forward to "turning this negative into a positive".   

Team captain Chris Mattina, who stayed at Delaware despite the suspension and worked to get rugby back, is thrilled.

"First and foremost I would like to thank the Administration at University of Delaware for giving us this great opportunity. I would also like to thank the Friends and Family of Delaware Rugby as well as the Rugby Community for supporting us throughout this entire process and look to them for their continued support as the hard work is just beginning. A fundamental part of re-building this program is going to be working with our club sports office and the Athletics Department on creating a strong foundation for transparency. Our goal is to create a professional environment, providing a platform for Rugby student-athletes to not only advance their level of rugby, but to enhance their learning experience at UD and develop leadership qualities for life. This pathway will have our players aspire to play rugby at the National and Olympic level as well as learn to become leaders on and off the pitch. With that being said we are looking forward to taking the field this fall and are excited to represent UD with dignity and respect"

The Blue Hens expect to play both 15s and 7s starting in the fall. They will also bring on a new head coach.

"We have learned a lot from this experience and understand it is a privilege to wear the uniform representing our school and it will not be taken for granted," said Mattina

A group of alumni has also established the University of Delaware Rugby Alumni Association, and boardmember Steve Severino said they have much work to do.  

"Going forward, the newly established UD Rugby Alumni Association will provide both leadership and mentorship for the club. We will play a key role ensuring the Mission and Goals of our student-athletes are fulfilled through scholarship opportunities, facilitating performance in the classroom and on the pitch, as well as post graduate career mentoring."

Those who want to contact Delaware Rugby to enquire about games or playing at Delaware should contact either Steve Serverino at sseverino622@gmail.com or Chris Mattina at       cmattina@udel.edu.