Washington Rugby Players Dig In to Give Back After Auction Win

As part of the annual Purple and Gold Dinner Auction, one lucky attendee, Jason (pictured in the orange), walked away with a unique prize: the muscle and teamwork of five Washington Rugby players (pictured, left to right: Matt Curtis, Lucas Hunziker, Jack Efrusy, Ben "Schlippy" Schilpp, Declan Mechem) for a day of yard work. Jason cashed in on the prize on May 31, and the results were nothing short of impressive.

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The group of student-athletes brought their A-game to the property, rolling up their sleeves and tackling a long list of tasks with the same intensity they bring to the pitch. Over the course of the day, the players demolished a 1,000-square-foot garden, moved hefty wood piles, weeded, cleared debris, and even transported a 12-foot trampoline to a neighbor’s yard—no easy feat.

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“They were great,” said the homeowner. “They worked really hard, were good listeners, and didn’t complain once. They got a ton done and made a big difference.”

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The day was a win-win: the auction helped raise funds to support the Husky Rugby Scholarships, and the players had a chance to give back to a supportive member of the community—proving once again that Washington Rugby's strength extends well beyond the field.