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Rugby Cat Senior Profile: Jack Rolf

By Jacob Novak '19, 03/15/19, 11:45AM EDT

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Jack Rolf and his two siblings were born in West Park and went to Our Lady of Angles for grade school. Jack played almost every CYO sport in grade school you could think of, but his spring was occupied by baseball. In fifth grade, Jack saw a trend growing in his friend group … everyone was signing up for rugby.

Jack balanced rugby between baseball until seventh grade when Jack decided to devote his spring to rugby.

Jack’s brother, Frank Rolf ‘14, is the person who first introduced him to rugby. Frank played baseball at Saint Ignatius, but once he was cut, he decided to play rugby. Jack played his grade school career through Rookie Rugby where he played for the West Park Shamrocks. Jack went to try out freshman year for rugby and he was put at scrum half.

Jack’s family had this to say, “When Jack first started to play we didn’t know the rules of the game or the positions, but when we talked to Frank about the position they put Jack at, he knew that it wasn’t the position for him.”

In a practice earlier this year, Coach Fitzpatrick '94 moved Jack to hooker for a practice. But Coach realized that it was a great fit for Jack. The West Parker had played scrum for three seasons and now hooker was his new position, which meant he had to learn a few new skills.

Thankfully Jack was able to adjust nicely to his new position. Jack felt like hooker was really his true position.

“The reason I was originally put at scrum half freshman year was thanks to Rookie Rugby. I had more experience with my passing so the coaches put me at scrum half,” Jack said. “Playing 7s in grade school helped with my overall knowledge of the game and rookie rugby vets had overall more understanding of the rules and set pieces.”

From the moment he joined the program, Jack instantly enjoyed Saint Ignatius rugby.

“My first three seasons playing for Ignatius were some of the best times I had. Playing with my friends over the years and watching how everyone progressed their game and play style has been really enjoyable,” Jack said. “Overall, these four years playing for Ignatius rugby will be the best times that I will have and, the people I’ve met over the years, are some of the greatest friends and teammates.”

Jack’s sister Annie, who is a recent graduate of Saint Joseph Academy, went on to play women’s rugby at Lindenwood University in Saint Charles, Missouri. Meanwhile, Frank ‘14 plays at Wheeling Jesuit University in West Virginia. In the fall, Jack plans on forging his own path at Bowling Green State University. Jack plans to continue an already successful rugby career and major in either business or construction management.

“I would like to thank my brother and sister,” Jack said in conclusion.