Old Glory DC kicks off its third season of professional rugby at Leesburg’s Segra Field with a new fan experience and an expanded relationship with Loudoun County during the home opener on Friday, February 18 at 8 p.m.
OGDC, one of 13 teams playing in Major League Rugby, has managed to draw the region’s legion of rugby faithful to the stadium over the last three seasons and now looks to appeal to an enlarged audience of newcomers who will learn the difference between a ruck and maul (this might help) and fall in love with the full-contact sport as much as the rugby veterans.
New This Season
A hype squad: OGDC has teamed with hip-hop dance troupe Culture Shock DC to keep the audience rocking during those relatively few times when the on-field action takes a break.
Stadium Host: A peripatetic and singularly animated director of fun and fanfare will roam the concourse, pumping up the crowd noise in the hopes of driving the home team’s ball carriers over the try line. Some of those players are local products.
In-Game DJ: Expect to hear an up-tempo mix of stadium favorites (fingers crossed for the occasional rugby song).
Light Up Loudoun Night: The team has partnered with Loudoun County Economic Development to sponsor the first home match with a Friday Night Lights theme. Look for an 80-foot-long screen for a mind-blowing video and light show that should attract fans from miles away.
If you missed it, here’s our story on the co-owner of the team. His family name might be familiar.
Feature image of Old Glory courtesy Paul Sheehy
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