Tri-State Collegiate Rugby Conference
Annual General Meeting on Wednesday February 2nd, 2021
via
Zoom
Conference web site at http://www.tristaterugby.com
8:00 – 9:30 pm
Members logged into the meeting starting at 7:50 pm and were asked to enter their name and team in the chat section of the Zoom call.
Attendees:
- Emma Husk, Hofstra University Women
- Emma Ackerler, Marist College Women
- Luke Fortuna, SUNY-New Paltz Men
- Reggie Ferraro, Stony Brook University Women
- Victoria Pietraszkiewicz, Rutgers University Women
- Joe Maiorano, Hofstra University Men
- Jake Shefcik, Hofstra University Men
- Trevor Hill, SUNY-Oneonta Men
- Uriah Whyte, Drew University Men
- 10.Rachel Papa, Drew University Women
- 11.Lucia Cappiello, University at Albany Women
- 12.Katrina Lange, SUNY-New Paltz Women
- 13.Nicole Hegarty, Fairfield University Women
- 14.Jan-Michael Monrad, Drew University Women
- 15.Kara Chamberlain, Marist College Women
- 16.Jane Kim, Fairfield University Women
- 17.Alison Aaron – SUNY-New Paltz Women
- 18.Brad Lawrence USMMA, Kings Point Men
- 19.Kayla Bonitto, Fordham University Women
- 20.Julie Byron, Marist College Men & Women
- 21.James Kimberly, Marist College Men
- 22.Caroline Nickels, Molloy College Women
- 23.Caleb Persanis, SUNY-New Paltz Men
- 24.Kelli Frei, Siena College Women
- 25.Chris O’Donnell – Seton Hall University Men
- 26.Tom Patton, SUNY-Maritime College Men and Women
- 27.Olivia Sturiano – Molloy College Women
- 28.Bob Wolf Director of Rugby Operations, SUNY-Maritime College Men & Women
- 29.Rob Ploth- Hofstra University Men
- 30.Austin Ryan, Fairfield University Men & Women
- 31.Tony Brown, Vassar College Men & Women
- 32.Andrew Denson, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Men & Women
- 33.Denisse Zambon Regaldo, Columbia University Women
Teams Represented
Men’s Division II – 5 of 7 teams
Present: Marist College Men, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Men, Seton Hall University Men, USMMA Kings Point Men & Fairfield University Men (Development XV).
Not on the call: William Paterson University Men & Monroe College Men.
Men’s Division III – 6 of 9 teams
Present: Drew University Men, Hofstra University Men, SUNY-Maritime College Men, SUNY-New Paltz Men, SUNY-Oneonta Men, Vassar College Men.
Not present: Bard College Men, Molloy College Men & Montclair State University Men.
Women’s Division II – 11 of 12 teams
Present: Columbia University Women, Fairfield University Women, Hofstra University Women, Marist College Women, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Women, Rutgers University Women, Siena College Women, Stony Brook University Women, SUNY-New Paltz Women, University at Albany Women & Vassar College Women.
Not present: Montclair State University Women.
Women’s Division III – 4 of 6 teams
Present: Drew University Women, Fordham University Women, Molloy College Women & SUNY-Maritime College Women.
Not present: Monroe College Women & University of New Haven Women (club).
N.B. Monroe College has not sustained teams (men or women) since the onset of the pandemic;
Molloy College Men may return; William Paterson University Men are in the process of obtaining another coach and have focused on 7s; Bard College has struggled for numbers; The University of New Haven has a Varsity Women’s team and a club team.
The meeting started at 8:05 pm
AGENDA
1. Roll Call of Team representatives – attendees signed in – see above.
2. Contact Information – Team representatives were asked to check the team contact details on the conference web site and provide updates and corrections using e-mail asap. These should reflect the coaching staff and administrators, both school officials and students, that will be responsible for the team in the Spring and Fall of 2022.
3. Tri-State 7s Championship dates were confirmed
WOMEN – Saturday April 9th, 2022 at Fairfield University
MEN – Sunday April 10th, 2022 at Hofstra University
4. Spring Schedules Teams were reminded to send in their Spring Schedules so that the Referee organizations could do assignments. As soon as the schedules are all sent in they will be published on the Conference web site. Teams were asked to send schedules to tobrown@vassar.edu
5. Fall 2021 Report
Covid continued to disrupt everyday lives in the Fall but the Conference did manage to function and games were played. Special thanks was given to administrators, coaches and players for all their efforts and it was felt that there were many benefits to personal health in having something approaching a regular rugby season.
In addition thanks was offered to both the Referee Societies (RRSNY & NYRRS) as they played a major role in providing the officials for the games. Congratulations were made to Tri-State Rugby Conference Champions of the Fall 2021 – Division II Men – Marist College Men; Division II Women – Vassar College Women & Division III Men Hofstra University Men and Runner-up Drew University Men.
6. USA Rugby & NCR update – The schism that occurred between USA Rugby & National Collegiate Rugby (NCR) still remains and teams were reminded that if they plan to play a team from outside their organization’s affiliation they should be aware that liability issues may be a problem.
7. Men – Fall 2022 Conference Structure & Schedule – The consensus after a brief discussion was that the Division II and Division III formats would remain in place with the addition of Fairfield University Men’s Development XV to the Division II ranks. Fairfield would play the regular season but not be eligible for the post-season. Fairfield agreed to submit a roster of eligible players. Any teams wishing to make suggestions or alterations to the format may contact the Tri-State Director, Tony Brown at tobrown@vassar.edu for consideration by the teams. Fall 2022 Schedules and playoff structures will be distributed this spring for approval.
8. Women – Fall 2022 Conference Structure & Schedule – Discussion centered around whether or not to stay with the 2 6-team Division II groups and the 1 Division III group. In addition, clarification of the groupings was sought and talk was of whether to tier the divisions based on strength as evidenced by the previous year’s results or based on geography. The former would involve the top division being awarded the higher seeds for the Conference playoff. This system was used previously with full agreement from all the teams since it involved most teams qualifying for post-season play. However, the need to start on the 3rd weekend in September will mean less overall playoff spots.
A number of proposals will be sent out for teams to review and a consensus will be reached this spring. Please be sure to check your e-mail.
** An additional point was discussed regarding player eligibility and teams will be expected to have their roster available at the Conference Final. Teams were reminded that they can check an opponent’s roster given that they are online
Under Membership with USA Rugby – Public Rosters. NCR uses a different registration software but it is though the same is available there.
9. Referees/Officials – Members were encouraged to attend the upcoming courses at SUNY-Maritime College on Sunday February 27th, 2022. This Spring with many mini-7s tournaments is a great opportunity for players to get experience refereeing. It is hoped that the Referee Societies will be able to assign 2 referees per mini-tournament but the workload would be greatly improved if others would help with the officiating.
10. Uniforms and conduct on and off the field – The conduct of players and coaches, indeed everyone associated with the game and spectators is critical given the sport is high contact. All members were reminded that one of the unique facets of Rugby Union is the respect given by the players and coaches to the referees and the opposition team. The referee’s decision is final, right or wrong, and there is not to be discussion on the field to try and change it. Even at the professional level players are being penalized for back chat. Please turn then other cheek and play on. Teams were also asked, as ever, to have matching uniforms and that applies to jerseys, socks and shorts.
11. Budget Review – The Conference has a balance of $16,000 dollars as of February 2022. No dues were collected in 2020-21 on account of the academic year being disrupted by Covid-19 and no games being played. Payments this year have been almost exclusively for Referees for playoff games with assistance to some teams in the playoffs. Web site management fees are on-going each year. A full annual audit is performed by the accounting firm of Prager Metis 510 Haight Ave, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603 (845) 454-8485 and will be posted to the website for review.
12. Medical requirements mandatory at games Teams were reminded to ensure that every game has medical coverage with either an ATC, Paramedic or Physician. Teams were asked to check with their school administration about procedures in place for a catastrophic injury. Relying on cell phones would not be enough. Please check with your Club Sport Director, Student Activities organization and or Faculty Advisor.
13. Mini-7s Tournaments (4 or 5 teams) The home team inputs the schedule working with the visiting teams.
14. Certified coaches for each program – All programs must have a certified coach and the upcoming USA Rugby Courses at SUNY-Maritime College on Sunday February 27th, 2022 are the perfect opportunity to get certified. Members were keen that a Level 300 Course be offered and questions were asked if there was monetary assistance that could help people who had to travel further afield. The answer was that this had been done in the past and individuals had only to ask the Conference. Fairfield University offered to host a Level 300 Course and James Kimberly (Marist College) put in a request on the spot with USA Rugby. Hopefully we can do this in the summer prior to the Fall 2022 Season.
15. All-Conference Team & All-Star Team – James Kimberly of Marist College spoke highly of the NCR All-Star program that involved the country being divided up into 8 regions and the Tri-State Conference fell into the Northeast. James was a member of the coaching staff and approximately 10 Tri-State players made the team. It was a great experience for these players as they traveled to Houston, TX and played in the Sabercats stadium. It was the first year of this program and James fully expects it to grow particularly in quality as team will have more time to prepare.
16. Sponsorship & Trophies – The Men’s 15s and 7s Tri-State Conference 15s and 7s Shields/Trophies are with previous winners. Please contact Tony Brown and arrange to return these for engraving. The Conference is looking into upgrading these trophies with the cost in the region of $3,000 dollars.
17. Any other business – Spring Schedules were verified and discussed and as stated previously will be published once all teams have submitted them.
Meeting Chat:
- Emma Husk (Hofstra Women’s) to Everyone: If any of the women’s teams haven’t been added to the text chat, dm me and I’ll add you! We use it to communicate last minute for games or if we need to get in contact with a specific team.
- Andrew Denson to Everyone: I’m fine with keeping everything the same if everyone else is?
- Emma Husk (Hofstra Women’s) to Everyone: We’re good with everything as well!
- Emma Husk (Hofstra Women’s) to Everyone: I got $90 for running touch for LIWRFC. I recommend!
- Regina Ferraro, Stony Brook University to Everyone: Yes, please a Level 300 course!
- Denisse (Columbia Women’s) to Everyone: Completely agree!
- Kara Chamberlain (Marist College Women) to Everyone: I agree – I haven’t been able to find one local enough!
- From James Kimberly to Everyone: Just putting a formal request in for L300 coaching course
- Rachel Papa – Drew Women’s to Everyone: it got changed at the last meeting i believe
- Rachel Papa – Drew Women’s to Everyone: it’s at Montclair
- Julie Byron to Everyone: Thanks Tony!
- Regina Ferraro, Stony Brook University to Everyone: Thanks Tony!