Allison Mueller/Winonan

When a student walks into women’s rugby head coach Roger Riley’s office, they’ll likely see him poring over rugby related media.

Rugby player Holly Edelburg said, “Rugby is his life. Anytime you’d walk into his office he’d be watching or researching rugby. I don’t know what else he thinks about.”

After hours of practice and total dedication, the Winona State University women’s rugby team, the Black Katts, are more than deserving of the title they have earned this season as national champions, and Riley has been there every step of the way to push the girls and guide the team to success. But the Black Katts’ season ended this year with tears of both joy and sadness as Riley retired as head coach.

Riley, who is a recreation and tourism professor at Winona State, will continue teaching and pursue his passion for rugby outside of Winona State.

Edelburg has been on the rugby team for four years, and said that over the years Riley has become a father figure for her and the team.

“He has an open door policy, “Edelburg said. “He has helped us with anything in life and has made rugby feel like a family.”

Lindsey Bucki, who has been on the team for a year, said that Riley has also taught the team many life lessons.

“We have learned from him that hard work pays off. He never complains and has also taught us to have a positive attitude,” Bucki said.

This positive attitude is clear through Riley’s view on his retirement. Although it will be hard to leave the rugby program, Riley said that he is enjoying the extra time that he has.

“Some nights I wouldn’t be home from rugby practice until after midnight, and I’d need to be in by 7:30 the next morning to teach, and I did this for 10 years,” Riley said. “I have always told the rugby team that academics are most important. Now I will be able to focus more on teaching.”

The Black Katts held a banquet to honor their season as well as Riley and all that he has done for Winona State women’s rugby.

“I don’t think we would have won the championship this year if it wasn’t for him,” Edelburg said.

Many alumni attended the banquet where they, among other current players, gave speeches and shared stories to celebrate Riley’s coaching career.

Bucki said, “It made me emotional to see how many girls he has affected over the years. I know he has affected me immensely.”

Josh Krzewinski will take over Riley’s position as head coach for the women’s rugby team.

Krzewinski had coached Winona State men’s rugby for 11 years, and has been the assistant women’s rugby coach for the past three years.

“I’m excited and nervous at the same time to take over,” Krzewinski said. “It definitely will be a challenge, and I am ready for it.”

Although Riley will be on campus and at most of the games, Krzewinski said that it is still sad to see him go.

“He’s been a mentor to me,” Krzewinski said. “I played for him when I played rugby in La Crosse and that is why I got into coaching.”

Riley said that he feels good about Krzewinski taking over as head coach.

“Around this area there isn’t anybody who thinks more carefully about rugby than Josh,” Riley said.

Krzewinksi said that he wants to pick up where Riley left off and repeat as national champions.

“We will stay right on path of what we’ve been doing,” Krzewinski said. “We’ll add a few more dimensions of my style of rugby and build on what we have.”

Bucki said she is excited for next season and anticipates the change in coaching to be “a fun experience.”

After all that Riley has contributed to the women’s rugby program over the years, his retirement is well deserved.

Edelburg said, “It’s been a long time coming, and I’m happy he could go out with a big win. It’s sad to see him go but he has finally got what he’s been working so hard for—a national championship.”

Despite the change in head coach for the Black Katts, their goal to win the title of national champions again remains unchanged.

Both the team and Riley have confidence that Krzewinski can fill Riley’s shoes for seasons to come.

Krzewinski said, “Roger told me it’s his time to back away and my time to take it to the next level.”