Every week at Cathedral, a different kind of football culture is emerging under the gloomy spring skies of Indianapolis. While the school is widely known for its powerhouse athletic programs, the Cathedral Rugby team has been quietly building something special, something gritty, brotherhood-driven, and relentless.
This season has felt different from the start.
From early morning lifts to late afternoon practices on wind-swept fields, the Irish have embraced the grind. Rugby requires only toughness, discipline, and faith in the man next to you, no pads, no helmets. In addition, Cathedral’s team has begun to be defined by that identity since 2026.
Senior standout Cam Jones (‘26) described the team’s mindset best.
“We take pride in being the tougher team. Rugby is all about physicality and effort. You can’t take plays off. If you do, it shows immediately. So every day at practice, we push each other to go harder than we think we can,” said Jones.
That mentality has translated into a fast, aggressive playing style. Cathedral’s forwards have controlled the pace in scrums, while the backs have capitalized on open space with quick ball movement and sharp decision-making. It’s not always perfect, but it’s always intense.
This season, that heart has shown up in important moments. In tight matches where fatigue sets in and mistakes start to creep up, Cathedral has found ways to stay composed. The team has relied on its resilience, whether it was a crucial tackle, a turnover at the breakdown, or a last-minute push toward the try line.
However, their chemistry rather than their performance is what makes this group stand out the most.
Unlike many sports where athletes specialize year-round, rugby at Cathedral brings together players from all different backgrounds. Football players, wrestlers, track athletes who might compete against each other in other seasons now come together with one shared goal.
“It’s a brotherhood for real,” Jones said. “Everybody comes from different sports, but once we’re out here, it’s all love. We trust each other. That’s what makes us dangerous.”
That trust is built off the field just as much as on it. Team dinners, film sessions, and even the long bus rides to away matches have created a bond that shows up every time they step onto the pitch.
Martin emphasized how important that connection is.
“If you don’t trust your teammates in rugby, you’re not going to win,” he said. “You’ve got to know the guy next to you is going to do his job. And we’ve built that. We’ve got each other’s backs no matter what.”
The coaching staff has also played a major role in shaping the team’s identity. They have created an atmosphere where effort is non-negotiable by focusing on fundamentals and accountability.
Every day, whether in situational scrimmages, conditioning drills, or tackling technique, players are expected to bring intensity. Even though the practices can be exhausting, the payoff on game day is obvious.
The Irish don’t back down.
Looking ahead, Cathedral has its sights set on finishing the season strong and making a statement in postseason play. Although the team is aware that there is still work to be done, confidence is growing with each match.
“We’re not satisfied yet,” Jones said. “We’ve shown flashes of what we can be, but we want more. We want to be the team people don’t want to play.”
Martin echoed that hunger, adding a bit of his trademark intensity
“We’re coming for everybody,” he said with a grin. “If you line up against us, you better be ready. We’re hitting, we’re running, and we’re not stopping.”
As rugby continues to grow in popularity across the country, Cathedral is proving that it belongs in the conversation. The Irish are constructing something that transcends victories and defeats by combining toughness, talent, and unity.
They’re building a culture
A culture is being established. And if this season is any indication, that culture is only getting stronger.
Cathedral Rugby is making its presence known, one hit, one run, and one brotherhood-driven moment at a time, from the first whistle to the final play.
