"The only reason we came into existence is because a lot of old old boys that played with the Aardvarks were not getting enough play time so hence the Pub was started."
- Brujo Old Boy David Oliva
CLUB PROFILE
Club Name: New Mexico Brujos RFC
Established: 1981
Location: Albuquerque, NM USA
Division: Division II Men's Club
Team Colors: Royal Blue & White
Club Mascot: Wizard/Sorcerer
Club Crest: Royal Blue & White Shield with moon, three Stars and thistle
Affliations: Member of the Rio Grande Rugby Union
CLUB HISTORY
The Albuquerque Brujos ( pronounced "brew-hoes") were established in 1981 by a group of men who wanted to play rugby and not be left out of playing time because other teams would not put together an additional side to allow for playing time to those individuals who where not considered "good enough" to play on their team.
It was Jimmy Herrera that came up with the name of the Alb. Brujos because of the magic of taking 2nd place in the B division. They went another season but couldn't build up a strong side so they joined sides with the UNM college side and were now named the UNM Brujos. After a year the Brujos were not allow to be associated with the UNM side because not all players were UNM students therefore they became a club side and adopted the name New Mexico Brujos.
The Brujos became a member of the Rio Grande Rugby Union and went on to become the Division I Rio Grande Union Champions in Rugby 15's in 1985, 1986, 1987, and 1993. The Brujos have also represented the Rio Grande Union nationally, as well as qualifying as one of the eight teams in the Steinlager National Sevens Championships in 1989 and 1990.
Lack of players and team support caused the team to be at the edge of folding and drop to a Division III team but a recent strong resurgence and commitment from players, executive board members, and sponsorship support has turned the club around and resulted in the Brujos traveling to Ft Worth, Texas in 2007 to represent the Rio Grande Union at the Westerns RFU Championships in 2007 and are working hard to make a repeat trip in 2008 as a Division II team with their sights set on a National Championship.
The Brujos, which means “Wizards” in Spanish, proudly sport the national flower of Scotland, the thistle, on their team crest. The Scottish thistle is a prickly-leaved purple flower which was first used in the 15th century as a symbol of defense. The Brujos, along with the several other rugby clubs in the Rio Grande Rugby Union, foster the competitive nature of rugby in the Southwest and the camaraderie that is fundamental to the game of rugby.
In the Spring of each year, the New Mexico Brujos Rugby Football club hosts a day-long Sevens tournament that brings in Men’s and Women’s Rugby teams from throughout the Southwest. This event is one of the earliest U.S. “Sevens” competitions in the traditional Seven’s seasons, that runs through the Spring and Summer in the U.S. In 2008, the NM Brujos is joining forces with the Rio Grande Valley Celtic Festival to present their traditional “Sevens” tournament in conjunction with the Festival’s Scottish Highland games. This will increase the visibility of rugby within the southwest. Given the tradition and importance of rugby in the Celtic community, the collaboration between the NM Brujos Rugby Club and the Rio Grand Valley Celtic Festival is an excellent collaboration and provides the festival attendees with a new opportunity to watch and learn about an exciting sport that has a solid Celtic history.
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