RUGBY

Team History
The Kwai Nyu Rugby Club is the rugby club of Saint Louis Priory School, in St. Louis, Missouri. Founded in 1956, the Kwai Nyu Ruggers--then known simply as "The Rebels"--started out under the direction of Fr. Timothy Horner, O.S.B. Having come over to America to found a preparatory school, the British monk-teachers were utterly unfamiliar with United States sports, and so started a rugby union team. For seventeen years, the Rebel Ruggers went undefeated. Today, under the inspired coaching of Fr. Augustine Wetta, Andy Wenger, and Paul Wood, the team continues to build on its noble heritage.

THE NAME
The name, ''Kwai Nyu'' is simply, the name ''Rebel'' in [[Ebo]], the dialect of a small, noble, warlike tribe from northern Nigeria. The Ibo are one of the few Catholic tribes in Nigeria, making them extremely devout Christians, and also extremely tough. As one of the early coaches was from this small tribe, they sing the chant in his honor.

THE COAT OF ARMS

The shield is based on the Coat of Arms of Saint Louis Abbey, the monastery which owns and runs the Priory School. It traces its roots back to the coat of arms of Westminster Abbey, and is registered with the college of heralds in Great Brittain. It is also known as the "Priory Shield". Certain elements of the original coat of arms have been modified: a rugby ball for the white rose, a set of rugby posts in place of the fleur de lies. But the original colors, and the blue "river," representing the Mississippi River, have remained the same.

In 1995, a dark and mysterious stranger came out to guest coach the Priory Rebel Rugby Team. He was as black as the night, as large as a mountain, and as fast as lightening. His name was Edu, and he had newly immigrated to the United States from Nigeria, where he had played rugby from the earliest age. His leadership was an inspiration, and his guidance came at a time when the team was looking for someone with great leadership qualities. Before he departed for the seminary, he taught Kwai Nyu this song, an untranslatable Ebo war chant known simply as "The Elephant Song." He revealed the meanings of the words to the team on the condition that they not be repeated to anyone who was not a member. Thus, the true meaning remains shrouded in the mists of secrecy.

ENNE MBA ENNE!
TZABUA!
ENNE MBA ENNE!
TZABUA!
ENNE MBA ENNE!
NWAKEI!
ENNE MBA ENNE!
NWAKEI!
ENNE MBA ENNE!
TI!
YA!
TI!
YA!
TI!
YA!!
KWAI NYU!
YA!!!

TEAM RECORDS

† THE OLDEST HIGH SCHOOL RUGBY TEAM IN MISSOURI HISTORY

† THE ONLY HIGH SCHOOL TEAM IN MISSOURI TO GO 19 YEARS AS STATE CHAMPIONS (1959-1978)

The Tournament
According to local history, the Tin Can Tournament is the oldest and most renowned high school rugby tournament in Saint Louis, Missouri. "Founded in 1502, in what was then known simply as "Cahokia," two Native American sons of the Cahokia Indian tribes fought bitterly over a bloated pig heart, then used as a "ball" of sorts for indigenous games. The argument spiraled out of control, culminating in the brutal dismemberment and death of one of these brave warriors. Every year thereafter, the event was commemorated by a gathering and athletic games, eventually resulting in the area being named Creve Cour (or Broken Heart) by the French settlers who carried on the tradition. Pig hearts being unavailable, French children settled for reenacting these events with a tin can. For hundreds of years, the athletic event went uncommemorated until, in 2003, it was resurrected by the Kwai Nyu Rugby Club, and quickly evolved into a Pan-State event, attracting teams from as far away as Jefferson City and Kirkwood."

Whether or not this historical anecdote contains any historical veracity, it does in fact convey the spirit of the tournament, which is informal, but always energetic and exciting.