By Liv Ronca ’18

Students will be able to watch as this year’s rugby team sports shirts with the slogan “It’s on us” as they walk through the halls of Staples.

“It’s on us’ is a phrase that was used by Joe Biden, among others, to promote the idea among students that they should accept responsibility to make campuses safe places for all and free of sexual abuse,” rugby coach Dave Lyme said. “Specifically meaning it’s not up to someone else to solve the problem; we must all be part of the solution.”

According to Lyme, this slogan first became prominent after Lady Gaga’s performance at the 2016 Academy Awards, where she sang her song “Til it happens to you.” Joe Biden introduced Gaga’s performance on stage, where she was then joined by dozens of sexual abuse survivors during her performance.

“We want to raise awareness for sexual abuse victims,” captain Michael Jennings ’17 said. “Seeing as many athletes are involved in sexual assault, we felt it was fitting to raise awareness, too.”

As a parent, the slogan specifically hit home for Lyme. “I think the statement perhaps has personal meaning for all of us, but as a coach of a men’s sport, it is especially important that I set the values and culture for the players on this team,” Lyme said. “As a parent of a college-age daughter, I also have a very personal interest in being part of creating a safe place for all of our daughters.”

The message seems to have resonated with the players. “Putting this abuse into words is something that we should all hold in our morale values. Especially because of the actions of many college sports players,”captain Michael Overton ’17 said,

Overton also said that since rugby is a male-dominated sport, its players especially need to show it doesn’t tolerate domestic violence. “Our team is wearing these shirts to take a stand against sexual violence against women,” returning varsity player Ben Van Der Merwe ’18 said.

Staples  rugby has always prided itself on being a team of inclusion, encouragement, and support for our community, Lyme said. By wearing shirts around Staples and Westport with the slogan “It’s on us” they can show their support for this cause and spread awareness at the same time.

“In  some  places, sexual  abuse  is  passed off  as jock culture,” Lyme said. “We wanted to make it clear that we stand against  any kind of abuse or bullying.”