Before coming to Santa Clara, it had never crossed Mike Ramirez’s mind to play rugby. Now he’s in his second year playing for the club team. But most players came to the team without any rugby experience, Ramirez says, because rugby isn’t offered at many high schools in the U.S.

Rugby has been played at Santa Clara since the school opened, so there is a sense of tradition here, culminating in the alumni game where the current team plays against former Santa Clara “ruggers.”

Playing for the team is “like having 20 or 30 brothers,” Ramirez said. “We’re always having a good time, regardless of whether we do well.”