Max Levine '09 set to represent Midd, nation in rugby games

Author: Ted Silberman

If it weren't for a poorly timed injury, Max Levine '09 may never have had the chance to represent the United States at the Maccabiah Games this summer. Levine came to Middlebury hoping to make the basketball team, but a broken leg two weeks before tryouts spoiled those plans and opened the door for another sport: rugby.

Growing up, Levine played basketball, baseball and soccer, but rugby had always been in his blood. His father coached rugby at Bates College and recruited his five-year-old son to be ball boy during practices. Despite this early introduction to the sport, playing rugby was unfeasible growing up in Poland Spring, Maine - over an hour away from the nearest rugby club.

After Levine's unfortunate fracture at Middlebury, his first-year junior counselor Pascal Losambe '07 inspired him to join the team. The encouragement he received from this older student is typical of the rugby team, and the supportive character of this group of men is what sealed his fate as a rugby player.

"I have played team sports since I was three, but I have never played for a better team than Middlebury rugby," said Levine. "From day one the seniors were looking out for us and as I've become one of the older members, I have stepped into that role and would bend over backwards to try and help the first-years."

The nature of the sport lends itself to team camaraderie. Because of the complex rules and formations, it is hard to have a pickup game of rugby. For this reason, teams are scattered all over the world in places like Italy, where Levine played for a time.

"Wherever I've played rugby, I've always been with a great bunch of guys," said Levine. "Sometimes it gets a bad rap because people have this image of a sport played by drunken hooligans, but that's really not the case. Though I'm sure that remains true for some teams, we've been trying to combat this stereotype on campus and raise the profile of the sport."

According to Levine, rugby doesn't get many perks because it is not a varsity sport, so "the team spirit has to make up for that." Although they have to wash their own clothes, lack a locker room and don't have their national championship photo displayed, Levine is optimistic about the outlook for the sport here at Middlebury.

"The administration, and Director of Athletics Erin Quinn in particular, has been more and more supportive over the years," he said. "I think our success on the field has also raised our profile on campus. In addition to great coaches, we have amazing depth and promising first-years from all over the world."

Not only is the Middlebury College Rugby Club on an upward trajectory, but Levine's career is also about to reach new heights when he competes in the 18th Maccabiah Games held in Israel from July 12-23. The quadrennial competition brings together Jews from around the world and is the third largest sporting event in the world after the summer and winter Olympics. Some of the top athletes from around the world participate, providing Levine with the opportunity to elevate his game to a higher level.

"For better or worse, Jews are not known for their athletic prowess," Levine admitted. "That said, I will be playing alongside some great rugby players. On the team are a pair of ex U-23 Eagles [U.S. National Team] and a dozen Super League players - the highest level of American rugby."

How was Levine selected to play on a side with such esteemed company? "While playing in the New England Semifinals last year, I noticed the Star of David on the referee's shorts and I inquired," Levine explained. "After learning that I, too, am Jewish, he invited me to try out for the Maccabiah USA team. I didn't make it at first, but played on the domestic travel team. We played in tournaments in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. during the last weekend of February and the selectors were apparently pleased with my play. Two days later, I received an e-mail telling me that I would be traveling to Israel this summer as a member of the USA rugby team."

Levine's hard work and dedication have made this great opportunity possible, but it never would have happened had it not been for an injury freshman year. As his career reaches new heights and he makes his debut on the international stage, let the Middlebury community join together in saying, "Break a leg!"