"It's hard to compete against teams of a calibre like California-Berkeley's who have five coaches and facilities," O'Brien says.

Others, however, say that the team has neither the resources nor the interest in securing varsity status.

"I wouldn't say it's an objective of the club," November says. "The A-side [the highest level division] are top athletes, but if we had a program that did heavy recruiting, it might not give the opportunity for people to start low and move up."

"The fact that it's not varsity enables people who aren't top national athletes to play," November says.

November also says that the rugby club would have to come up with a "tremendous amount of money" before it could go varsity. "Practically, it's a non-issue," he says.

O'Brien says that rugby's reputation as a rowdy sport may also be one reason the team will never achieve varsity status.

Though sophomore Bob Jordan concedes this image "is hard to get rid of.," he says "we try to dispel the violent image of rugby."

Jordan says part of that effort includes taking the sport more seriously than other schools. "We don't fight, and there are no more kegs on the sidelines," he says.

"At some schools, they think rugby is a drinkfest," Geary says.

While drinking is no longer common during Harvard's games, some traditions die hard.

"It's still a very social sport," Jordan says. "There's lots of camaraderie. After matches, the teams go out together."