“You don’t have to be 6 foot 4, 240 pounds,” says senior Trevor Fulton, a Biochemistry major.
As the men’s rugby team preached about the above statement, it seemed to have lacked a little support at first; size usually matters. But in time, “a little” support had not been the lack there of; it was an understatement. Walking up towards his rugby mates, the support team’s shadow had shrunk to 5’5’’. Upon appearance, Fulton rests his case.
Vince Manna, the club’s president, was different. His shadow was afraid of him. Manna, unlike his short stature, had exemplified an athlete bigger in other aspects of the sporting world. Sure physique plays a part, but his teammates, like Fulton, realize a deeper presence about him.
“It [rugby] challenges you mentally just as much physically. You can be there physically but if you don’t have that mentality, you’re not going to succeed,” Manna says. Manna is also a Finance and Management senior.
Standing at 5’5’’ and 160 pounds, Manna looks to capitalize on the strategic approach to sports whether it be rugby or other sports characterized by behemoths. Basketball, for one, had been the beginning of a mental preparation unlike no other; Manna had been the point guard for his high school basketball team, the Horizon High School Huskies.
“We were always above average and I can definitely say I was very focused on getting better,” says Manna. When asked about his work ethic in relation to Space Jam, following a chuckle, Manna compared himself to the young Michael Jordan, who would practice his jump shots religiously. A good work ethic was everything.
“I was definitely more reserved but I learned quickly that I needed to develop certain attributes. My focus was on technique and aggression. I love to challenge myself. Especially early on, it has always been a mindset… that I’d never get beat by someone bigger,” says Manna.
Manna had played varsity basketball up until his senior year, where then, he was in search for a greater challenge. Something bigger. Being unaware of the opportunity ahead at first, Arizona State had been that ticket. Upon punching his to the college, he had been opened up to the sport of rugby.
“It was a change because we’ve lost a lot of leaders on the team,” says Manna, who applied his growing mental game to the sport. “I want to be one of those guys to look to, to bring the team into the right direction.”
According to Fulton, “it’s not about being big, it’s about technique. It’s an opportunity to jump at the bit and go, go, go. Vince is a hard- hitter.” And in Manna’s case: “All sports can be applied to rugby.” It’s mental preparation and with this, the team looks to Manna for that pick-me-up.
In short: “It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog.” Vince Manna exemplifies this. Arizona State rugby lives by this. With a mental toughness, it will translate into physical play.
“I think we’ll always win over physical ability. You can accomplish a goal the same as anybody as long as you have the drive. I wanted to always be stronger than the strongest guy,” says Manna.
It starts mentally.
Any questions? Contact me at bcapria.asu.edu.
