The LSU Rugby team was off to a promising start in its 2014-15 season after it beat Georgia, 79-15, and Mississippi State, 27-5, to start 2-0.
But the season was cut short when the team was suspended for violating University policies regarding alcohol during a post-game social.
“[Alcohol] was purchased by a member of our team,” said club president Kevin Kovacic. “The receipt was turned in to the UREC, and under their sport club travel policies, it is a major violation to consume or be in the presence of alcohol from the time a team leaves campus until the time it returns.”
The incident leading to the suspension occurred on Sept. 13 in Atlanta — after the match was moved from Athens, Georgia, due to inclement weather — when the team traveled to play the
Bulldogs. 
It’s customary to have a social with the opposing team after a match, Kovacic said, and alcohol was purchased by an LSU player older than 21 and made available to those older than 21.
“The team violated University policies regarding alcohol during club travel and was suspended from all club activities for a month, including forfeiture of their fall competition schedule,” said Assistant Director for Sport and Camp Programs Matthew Boyer.
The Tigers were forced to forfeit their upcoming matches against Alabama, Auburn, Tennessee and Ole Miss under the suspension, so they went through the appeals process.
The appeal was unsuccessful, and the suspension, which included a cut in funding, was upheld.
“The amount of funding we were going to receive versus how much they cut it to means very little in how the club functions,” Kovacic said.
The Tigers have since been educated on proper behavior and returned to practice last week to prepare for their next game against St. Louis
University on Jan. 17. 
“Student Advocacy and Accountability has worked with LSU UREC to address the situation and educate the club members of appropriate behavior while representing LSU,” Boyer said. “The club has been cleared to begin preparing for its spring season.”
Last year, the team completed its first undefeated season in five years. The Tigers outscored opponents 239-50 and asserted themselves as the top team in the Southeastern Collegiate Rugby Conference west division. 
A 6-0 record landed the Tigers the No. 1 seed in the west division at the SCRC Championship in Knoxville, Tennessee.
The Tigers beat Florida, 54-27, in the semifinals but lost to the only other undefeated team in the conference, South Carolina, 41-24 in the championship.