A New Guard, A Familiar Grit: Celtics Spring 2026 Outlook

As the frost thaws and the first hints of green return to the pitch, the Toledo Celtics are emerging from hibernation. The groundhog may have predicted a longer winter, but the heartbeat of this club doesn’t stay quiet for long. After a fall campaign defined by resilience and a historic playoff push, the Celtics are traded the mud of November for the promise of the spring, ready for another year of blood, sweat, and beers.

The Changing of the Guard

The road to the new year began off the pitch at the club’s Annual General Meeting. After years of steadfast leadership, outgoing President Kyle Ruedel stepped down, marking the end of a significant era for the green and black. In a move that surprised no one—yet energized everyone—the torch was passed to Thomas "Bunny" Schafer.

Known for his try-saving heroics in the fall and his legendary wit in the clubhouse, Bunny takes the helm of a club on the rise. He is supported by a battle-tested executive board: Jeremy Mantei remains as Vice President, Ben Mantei continues to guard the coffers as Treasurer, and Sam Ciancutti steps into a vital new role, formalizing the tireless "behind-the-scenes" work that keeps the Celtic machine humming.

Celebrating the Standard

Before the first whistle of the spring, the club gathered for the 2025-2026 Spring Banquet to honor the men who made the previous season a "club reborn." Between helpings of Deet’s BBQ and a few lighthearted "social" trophies (including one involving a certain questionable piece of adult memorabilia), the club recognized the elite performers who set the standard:

• 2024 Rookie of the Year: Thomas "Brick" Yoder

• 2025 Rookie of the Year: Alex "Big Al" DiBell

• 2025 Forward of the Year: Mason Carriero

• 2025 Back of the Year: Jay "Don Droolio" Gaines Jr.

• The Mike Fosnaugh "Man of the Year": Captain & Coach Tyler Bender

In a testament to his dominance on the wing, Jay Gaines nearly needed a moving truck to get his hardware home, while the Man of the Year award served as a powerful tribute to Tyler Bender, whose leadership from the sidelines after his ACL injury became the soul of the team’s success.

The Spring Slate: Development and Rivalry

Spring rugby is about more than just the scoreboard; it’s about blooding the next generation of Celtics and sharpening the steel of the veterans. This year’s schedule is a gauntlet of regional heavyweights and traditional social tours:

Date	Opponent / Event	Location
Mar 21–22	Nash Bash	Nashville, TN
Apr 11	Findlay Scars	Findlay, OH
Apr 18	Detroit RFC (Men & Old Boys)	Detroit, MI
Apr 25	Lansing Crisis	Home
May 2	Cleveland Rovers	Cleveland, OH
May 9	Findlay Scars	Home
May 16	Columbus Castaways	Home

The highlights are plenty: a road trip to Nashville to "whore out" for social sides, a homecoming for our Old Boys in Detroit, and a high-level test against a playoff-caliber Cleveland Rovers side.

Looking Ahead

Practices kick off tomorrow—Saint Patrick’s Day. There is no more poetic way for a Celtic to begin the year than on the training field on our patron saint's day. Whether it’s the upcoming Put-In-Bay 6s in June or the Beach Rugby 5s in Cleveland, the mission remains the same: keep the momentum, find the next "Big Al," and remind the Midwest that Toledo doesn't just play rugby—we live it.

The leaves are returning. The Celtics are back. 🍀