By Rob Adams
Sentinel Reporter
Jesse Adelberg is always ready to catch up with friends in Greenwich.
The 2013 graduate of Greenwich High School, and son of Stuart and Marilyn Adelberg of Old Greenwich, was seen on both the rugby and football fields here and initially did the same in college.
“I went to Endicott College in Beverly, Mass.,” he said. “I played football for a year and a half, and I switched back to my real passion, which is rugby.”
Adelberg put that passion on display, and was rewarded by being named a USA Rugby Collegiate All-American.
Adelberg played a key role in leading the Gulls to the Division II Plate Championship at the USA Rugby College 7s National Championships in May. Endicott defeated Drexel 19-12 to capture the title, and, in the process, solidified its spot among the top-5 programs in the country in Division II with the win.
Adelberg also was named to the 2017 USA Rugby College 7s National Championships DII Dream Team during the 2016-17 season.
“Jesse worked very hard to improve his game and that work was evident in Colorado at nationals,” said Endicott club men’s rugby head coach Dave Kenkel. He was responsible for many exciting movements and was one of the key ingredients to our team’s success. “To have a player recognized as an All-American is a great reward for our team’s efforts this spring.”
The Gulls were only in the second-year as a rugby program when Adelberg arrived, and having the experience of playing at Greenwich – a nationally-renowned team – helped establish him as a leader and experienced player.
“Most kids played at OGRCC, and grew up with rugby,” he said. “I came up here and had to coach and play at the same time.”
Indeed, Adelberg did well with GHS rugby as well, amassing 111 point and 18 tries for his career, which keeps him listed among the list of most ever. The Cardinals advanced to the High School Rugby Tier II championship game in Adelberg’s senior year.
Over on the football field, Adelberg was the kicker for head coach Rich Albonizio’s Big Red who went 8-2 in 2012 before falling to Xavier in the Class LL quarterfinals in Middletown. Adelberg connected on 42 of 44 point-after attempts (96%). As a junior the year before, Adelberg his 39 of 42 attempts.
As a sophomore at Endicott, Adelberg studied abroad in Australia, including playing rugby during the second semester.
“It was a dream come true,” he said. “Living there was amazing. Playing there, I learned a lot. It’s their second-most popular sport, behind cricket. I played against older guys who had been playing since they were old enough to walk.
“It was an amazing experience, and I would never give it up.”
In an era in which sports – especially football – are being watched for head injuries, Adelberg quickly advocates for rugby, calling it “much safer than football.” He said rules and technique take care of ensure the safety of players.
“In rugby, you have to wrap up,” he said, describing the tackling style. “You can’t tackle above the shoulder. You can’t just put all your body weight into him and shove him into the ground.
“There are a lot less concussions and a lot less injuries when you play against higher-quality teams. When we were in Colorado, we didn’t see one person carted off, and there are hundreds of games going on. That’s remarkable.”
Though he has finished up his degree in Sport Management, Adelberg is neither done with college or rugby.
“I’m up in Salem, Mass, going for an MBA,” he said. “I’m able to play with Endicott for one more year, which I’m going to do.”
As the Gulls’ rugby team is affiliated with USA Rugby and is a club sport – as opposed to being part of the NCAA – Adelberg is eligible for a final season.
That doesn’t mean he’s ready to give it up. Adelberg called being an All-American “a goal,” and it’s a goal that he’s achieved.
“That was huge,” he said. “That was my goal in high school. But I’m not done yet. I still want to be at a camp and get out there and represent my country, which would be the most amazing feeling in the world.”
Adelberg would like to be on the USA National team, as his former GHS teammate Joe Kelly has done.
“He tells me all about it and how great it is,” Adelberg said. “That keeps me hungry and I just want to keep going for it.”
