Even the most enthusiastic of athletes can't stand the sport they play every now and then. Nothing rings truer for Gator Rugby Football Club fullback Jamie Gunton.

"I have to admit, I hated it when I started playing, but my dad said that it would build character," said Gunton, a foreign exchange student from England. "A few years later I went to school and played full competitive games ... and instantly fell in love with the sport."

But even with the sports we love, every season must come to an end.

For Gunton, that means the end of his student career in the U.S. and his run with the team.

He is one of four graduating ruggers leaving the team after the spring semester. Seniors Chris MacDougall, Antonio Garcia and Nathan Greene will trade in their rugby kit for the traditional cap and gown.

"It was great seeing these boys go from a bunch of misfits and come out on the other side a serious and committed team," said Gunton, who has been playing rugby since he was 7 years old. "My full respect goes to Hiro Suzuki and Chris MacDougall who kept their patience and made the team what I see today."

MacDougall exhibited more than patience with his fellow teammates. Since joining the student-run team four years ago, he has seen it grow and evolve despite the lack of funds and support from the school.

"What we had was a group of very passionate people who loved the sport and wouldn't quit despite all the setbacks," MacDougall reflected. "The club has grown so much since then."

Gunton isn't the only player hopping across the Atlantic after the semester ends. Garcia, who played on the team for two seasons, will bicycle across Europe for a month before returning to San Francisco to work in advertising sales for CBS Radio.

"I'm going to be biking the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany," Garcia said. Earlier in the season, Garcia and his teammates raised money for his 100-mile bike ride around Lake Tahoe as a member of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

But as these rugby footballers step off the field and tackle other ambitions, they have some words of encouragement for the next crop of ruggers.

"Always play like the score is 0-0," Garcia said.

"Anyone on the team is always happy to help and assist you," Gunton added. "Rugby's a team sport, that's what's so great about it.

"I can't wait for them to organize a returnee's team," he said. "I will be on the first flight back to San Francisco to play."