Justin Ladd is our January Player of the Month. Ladd is a junior who has played rugby since he joined the team in the fall of 2021. After a breakout 7s season and a trip to the CRC last spring, Ladd has been working hard to contribute this season. Congratulations Justin!
Position: Wing/Center
Height: 5’10”
Weight: 160 lbs
Year: Junior
Major: Applied Exercise Science
Hometown: Bellevue, MI
Why did you decide to play rugby?
I played football in high school and wanted to continue something of that nature in college. I had seen there was a rugby club, and with my limited knowledge of rugby at the time I figured the sport would be close enough to football, so I decided to give it a shot.
What have you liked about Michigan Rugby so far?
The community around it. From the coaches, to alumni, to the players, everybody involved with Michigan Rugby has such a love and passion for the sport, as well as a love and allegiance to the team. I also love the competitive air that surrounds Michigan rugby, I was nervous when first joining that it’d be more of a “just for fun” type of club, and if we lost games it was “no big deal”, but I was happy to find out early on that that was certainly not the case.
Describe your most memorable moment on the field.
Pulling the ball from the scrum and scoring an 80 meter try against Michigan State in 7s.
What’s your most favorite rugby drill in practice? Least favorite?
I probably enjoy can jam or touch the most. I probably like the Wolverine the least, the constant getting up and down while running does NOT do great things for my stomach.
What other sports have you played?
I played a bit of soccer in elementary, and I played football, basketball, and track in high school.
What do you see yourself doing in five years?
I see myself continuing my career either in personal training or strength and conditioning.
What is an embarrassing childhood memory that you can share with us?
In middle school, I had to take choir, and to pass this choir class, for some reason we had to sing a duet in front of the entire class. Unfortunately for me, my partner in the duet both picked the song for us to sing, and when the time came, sang extremely quietly. So there I was, having to be the only voice anyone in the class could actually hear, singing a duet to Belinda Carlisle’s “Heaven is a Place on Earth”. And yes, I did have to sing the entire 4 minute song, and yes, it was humiliating. In case anyone doesn’t know the song: https://youtu.be/NOGEyBeoBGM
What is your favorite place in Ann Arbor?
The NCRB when it’s not crowded
What is your biggest fear?
Deep, dark water
What is your favorite food?
Tacos and horchata
Do you have any game-day superstitions? Explain.
I try to never talk like it’s going to be an easy win, or that we’re definitely going to win, just in case karma really does exist.
Who is you favorite superhero and why?
I’ve always been a bit of a nerd, especially when I was younger, so Spider-Man was naturally my go to.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
To not let life pass me by
Again, congratulations to our January Player of the Month, Justin Ladd!
