Aaron Juma’s transfer from Wheeling to Mary Washington stirred up much more discussion, and indeed vitriol, than anyone might reasonably expect.
It was, and is, after all, just a college student making a college-student decision. But it somehow became more than that—NCR vs CRAA, college vs college, college vs MLR team—and because of that, the individual’s decisions somehow got overlooked. With commenters on social media saying Juma was unduly influenced by Marry Washington’s rugby program, or DC Old Glory (the MLR team that, remember, has already drafted him), Juma himself felt like his own decision-making agency was being forgotten. As a result, Juma reached out to Goff Rugby Report to talk about his own motivations. Here’s what he said:
1. It Wasn’t All Planned by UMW Rugby
Juma told GRR that he applied to several schools and didn’t tell anyone he was leaving Wheeling until he knew he was accepted at UMW. Gearoid Dunbar, Marry Washington’s Director of Rugby, wasn’t made aware of Juma’s transfer until Tuesday, January 7 and didn’t meet with him until a couple of days later, the same day tThe transfer was announced.
Unwilling to announce any move until he had a place to go, Juma said: “I couldn’t say anything until I was sure.”
2. This Wasn’t a Surprise, or at least Shouldn’t Have Been
“The people that really believe in me and care about me are not upset about the situation,” Juma told GRR. “Everybody at Wheeling knew that I was leaving this spring. So the fact that issues are arising right now is a bit weird to me. It doesn’t make sense to me that a lot of people are talking about it.”
3. Juma’s Move isn’t an Indictment of Anyone
“I’m very grateful for the people in my life,” Juma told GRR. “I am grateful for the opportunities that I have received and that have come to me thanks to the talent I have in rugby, which is is a gift from God. Credit to Wheeling for everything they’ve done for me. I am very, very happy I went there. You look at pros and cons, and there are no cons, just pros. If there is a con it is that I have left a family at Wheeling. But I am joining another family at UMW.”
4. No One Makes Aaron Juma’s Decisions Except for Aaron Juma
“Everything in my life I have a say in it,” said Juma. Normally a very easy-going, smiling person, Juma was clearly a bit upset about the implication that he’s just a pawn in a game. “I feel like I am my own person. My decisions go through my family and my family are my number-one priority. My decisions come through five different people, and all of them had the same answer as me—whatever is good for your future. And I know my future is here at Mary Washington.”