Our Story

Founded in 1998, the Eckerd Rugby Club "Fireants" competed in the National Small College Rugby Organization (NSCRO) as a part of the Florida Rugby Union (FRU). The club started as a social club for Eckerd students to make new friends and play a highly competitive sport simultaneously. Over the years, the Fireants proved their rugby skills in the Florida Rugby Union but never could make the National Small College Rugby Organization playoffs. In 2006, the Fireants changed their mascot to the Tritons, and in 2012, they made it to the NSCRO playoffs for the first time since its founding. The Tritons made it to playoffs again in the 2016-17 season after completing an undefeated season, going 8-0 in regular season play. They finished 9-1 that season and were the Runner-Up in the NSCRO South Cup championship. In 2019, the Tritons completed an undefeated conference season. They defeated the #8 ranked University of North Alabama club in overtime, 23-20, to become NSCRO South Cup Champions for the first time in program history. In 2023, the Tritons were promoted to FRU Division II. They took Runner-Up in the championship after a competitive overtime battle with rival St. Thomas University, losing by a penalty kick. This battle led to the promotion of both teams to FRU's Florida Collegiate Conference (FCC) Division I lineup. Today, the Tritons aim to make the mighty Fireants proud so many years later.