Summary of discussions at the

Tri-State Collegiate Rugby Conference

Annual General Meeting on Sunday January 29, 2017

at

Fordham University, Bronx, NY

Conference web site at http://www.tristaterugby.com

AGENDA

1. Team representatives signed-in – Name, school, cell # and e-mail address.

2. Contact Information provided – Team representatives were asked to check the team contact details on the conference web site and provide updates and corrections to the director by Wednesday February 1^st, 2017. 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 2017.

3. 7s Championship date – Teams discussed and determined the date and venue for the Tri-State Rugby Conference 7s. Men Sunday April 2, 2017 at Vassar; Women Sunday April 9, 2017 at Long Island University-Post.

4. Spring Schedules – Teams discussed spring schedule dates and scheduled games. All teams must enter their Spring Schedules on the RRSNY or NYRRS website no later than February 15th, 2017.

5. Fall 2016 Summary – Provided by the director

1. Number of Teams

In the Fall 2015 season 19 men’s teams competed as members of the Tri-State Conference (12 at the USA Rugby Division II level and 7 at the National Small College Rugby Organization NSCRO level. The women had 16 teams (12 at the USA Rugby Division II level and 4 as a Developmental Division). The previous season the men had 18 teams and the women 14.

Tri-State Rugby Conference Championships Venue 2016

On Sunday, November 6th, 2016 the Tri-State Rugby Conference held the Fall Championships at Siena College in Loudonville, New York.

1. Thanks to Siena College & the Referee Societies

Special thanks are due to the Siena College Men & Women who hosted the teams in the finals on their new rugby field. They did a wonderful job and everything ran smoothly. It was particularly pleasing to see and talk with Siena’s Club Sports Director Karen Keis, who was hands-on helping out and very supportive. In addition, the Siena coaches Dmitri Zagorevski and Rich Scully deserve our thanks for a well-run event. In addition, the Conference was well served by the NY Rugby Referees Society headed up by John Percy Neidzielski as well as the Rugby Referees Society of NY. Games were covered professionally with a referee and ARs running touch, so thank you to these two societies for their officiating.

1. Congratulations to Tri-State Rugby Conference

Champions & Runners-up Fall 2016

Men’s Division II Championship (USA Rugby DII Men)

Sacred Heart University Men 32 v 12 William Paterson University Men

Sacred Heart University Men advanced to represent the Tri-State Conference in the USA Rugby National Championship Round of 16 in the South Region and faced the Southern Conference Champion, Furman University, at Furman University in Greenville, SC on Saturday November 19th, 2016. Furman won 68-31 and went on to finish runner-up to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Sacred Heart did finish the fall on a winning note defeating Southern Connecticut 48-30 in the Round of 16 consolation game.

Women’s Division II Championship (USA Rugby DII Women)

Vassar College Women 46 v 10 University at Albany Women

The Vassar College Women took on the Albany Women in a very physical match-up. Despite a lead of 31-0 at the half Albany battled throughout and a 15-10 second half was credit to their spirit and determination. Both teams advanced to the USA Rugby Round of 32 with Vassar hosting SUNY-Geneseo on Saturday November 12th, 2016 at 1:00 pm and Albany traveling to take on NESCAC winner Colby College the same day in Maine. Vassar would go on to defeat SUNY-Geneseo while U. at Albany defeated Colby. It put both teams in the Northeast Region and when Vassar beat the University of Vermont it set-up a re-match because U. at Albany beat Buffalo State. Vassar prevailed in the regional and went to the Fall Final 4 where they lost in the semifinal to Davenport University but defeated the U.S. Coast Guard Academy to finish third.

Women’s Division II Conference 3rd/4th place Playoff

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Women 29 v 17 Siena College Women

The RPI Engineers advanced to the USA Rugby Round of 32 as the third placed Tri-State Conference team earning an At-Large bid. They took on Buffalo State University in Buffalo on Saturday November 12, 2016 but the western most NY State school prevailed.

Men’s Central Division Championship (NSCRO Champions Cup Men)

SUNY-New Paltz Men 55 v 13 Vassar College Men

SUNY-New Paltz Men opened up a 22-8 lead by halftime of the final and then dominated the second 40 minutes brushing aside the Vassar College Brewers. SUNY-New Paltz advanced to the NSCRO Playoffs held on Saturday and Sunday November 19 & 20, 2016 at Eastern Connecticut State University where they faced the University of Maine-Orono (the New England Conference Champion). The Hawks went down 89-7 and finished the fall losing to SUNY-Plattsburgh 46-31.

Special mention: It was a fall that saw the return of SUNY-Maritime Men and SUNY-Binghamton Women to the rugby fields. New teams also joined the Conference with Monroe College Men Manhattanville College Women and Long Island University-Post all doing well.

6. Administration

This past Fall saw the Conference finally get tax exempt status. The Conference has now obtained from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) a determination that it is exempt from federal income tax under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 501(c) (3). This means that donors can deduct contributions they make under section IRC 170. (If you know of people or businesses that are willing to sponsor the conference then please make sure they know that their contribution is tax deductible.)

The Law Firm of Lewis & Greer PC at 510 W Haight Ave #202, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603 Phone: (845) 454-1200 handled the paperwork for incorporating the Conference and obtaining the 501© tax exempt status.

In addition, all the Conference financial records were handed over to the certified public accounting firm of D’Arcangelo & Co., LLP at 510 W Haight Ave, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603

Phone: (845) 473-7774. They have done a full audit and will be responsible for providing accurate statements of the account as well as filing the annual tax return.

The Conference has a bank account with the Bank of America at 11 Raymond Avenue, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603 Phone: (845) 452-2041.

Members were informed that if they had any questions they could contact the law firm or accountants directly.

7. Tri-State Executive Board – elections

Title                              Name                           School                         Phone                 Email

Commissioner   Tony Brown      Vassar College             845-380-9052 tobrown@vassar.edu

Men’s Rep Andrew Massefski   WPU                                        973-349-8540 massefskia@student.wpunj.edu

Women’s Rep   Reggie Ferraro             Stony Brook Uni.          631-766-4457 sbuwrfccoach@gmail.com

Referee Liaison            James Fryer     SUNY-New Paltz          518-729-7889 jcfryer94@gmail.com

Treasurer                     Rob Gilmore     Manhattanville Coll. 914-924-3790 robert.gilmore@mville.edu

Secretary                     Ariann Hege     SUNY-New Paltz          315-399-6245 hege1@hawkmail.newplatz.edu

All Conf                        Maren Milliard   Marist College             845-235-6964 maroon24@hotmail.com

Coach & Player

Development    James English  Monroe College                        484-862-2249  jenglish@monroecollege.edu

Website Admin Brett Anker                   Unaffiliated                               845-721-7110 tristaterugbyinfo@gmail.com

Discipline                      Empire GU Disciplinary Committee        See website

All positions are elected by the membership and voted on at the AGM. Terms of office are determined by the membership. Tri-State Rugby Conference, Inc. Directors are Tony Brown, Maren Milliard, & Rob Gilmore.

8. Fall 2017 Conference Structure & Schedule MEN – Option I agreed

Review, discuss, and vote.

The single most influential factor that affects the conference competition structure is the number of weekends available for play prior to the USA Rugby first playoff weekend. We then have to weigh the number of teams we have and decide if we want to have 3, 2, 1 or no rounds of conference playoffs. Historically, we have had 2 or 3 rounds of playoffs based on the fact that teams want the opportunity to qualify for post-season and early season results may not be reflective of the strength of a team come the conclusion of regular season play.

There is a possibility of adding USMMA and SUNY Binghamton to the Conference.

Division II Men

Option 1: Same as Fall 2016 but venues reversed – Div. II has a North & South Division of 6 teams each – Games start on the second weekend in September (Sept 9 & 10).

Option 2: If we add USMMA (S) and/or SUNY-Binghamton (N) we need 7 weekends of regular season play so we would need to drop the quarterfinal option and have that weekend for the additional regular season game – the top 4 teams advance N1 v S2 and S1 v N2. Play consolation rounds (Quarters: N3 v S6, S4 v N5, S3 v N6, N4 v S5 followed by semis and a final.)

Weekends Fall 2017                                                                                                                                       Teams

Sept                                                                                                                                                     North                                                   South

Sat 2 & Sun 3              Open for pre-season scrimmage                       Sacred Heart                            WPU

Sat 9 & Sun 10                        Divisional game (N&S)                                      Siena                                                   NJIT

Sat 16 & Sun 17          Divisional game (N&S)                                      RPI                                                                  Seton Hall

Sat 23 & Sun 24          Divisional game (N&S)                                      Hofstra                                                 Molloy

Oct                                                                                                                                                                  Marist                                                   MSU

Sat 30 & Sun 1                        Divisional game (N&S)                                      Union                                                   TCNJ

Sat 7 & Sun 8              Divisional game (N&S)                                      (Binghamton)                           (USMMA)

Sat 14 & Sun 15          Divisional game (N&S)

Sat 21 & Sun 22          Conference Quarterfinals (N1vS4 & S2vN3; S1vN4 & N2vS3) (N5vS6 & S5vN6)

Sat 28 & Sun 29          Conference Semifinals & Consolation final

Nov                                                                                                                                                               Option I – Central (NSCRO)

Sat 4 & Sun 5              Conference Championship                                                                               New Paltz

Sat 11                                     USA Rugby Wildcard Playoff Round                                                     Vassar

Sat 18 & Sun 19          USA Rugby Rounds of 16 & 8                                                              Monroe

Dec                                                                                                                                                                                                      Maritime

Sat 2 & Sun 3              USA Rugby Final 4                                                                                                       Oneonta

NSCRO Men                                                                                                                                                                            Bard  Drew  (Hartwick)

Same as Fall 2016 with a 7 or 8 team Conference playing a round-robin format for playoff spots in the NSCRO Championship with the top 4 advancing 1 v 4 & 2 v 3.

Men agreed to contact Rutgers Men C-side to get games; Teams have to declare B-side or not at the start of the season; B-side championship to be set-up; More than one forfeit makes team ineligible for playoffs; Teams asked to bid early on hosting a 15s or 7s Championship.

9. Fall 2017 Conference Structure & Schedule WOMEN – Option I agreed

Review, discuss, and vote.

The single most influential factor that affects the conference competition structure is the number of weekends available for play prior to the USA Rugby first playoff weekend. We then have to weigh the number of teams we have and decide if we want to have 3, 2, 1 or no rounds of conference playoffs. Historically, we have had 2 or 3 rounds of playoffs based on the fact that teams want the opportunity to qualify for post-season and early season results may not be reflective of the strength of a team come the conclusion of regular season play.

Last year we implemented a tiered divisional structure that allowed teams to play opponents closest to their strength. However, Fordham and Montclair State had a difficult time and may want to move to the Developmental Division. In addition, the results of the previous Fall had dictated the divisional set-up so given the Fall 2016 results RPI would move to the top 6 and Hofstra would move down. LIU-Post may want to play at DII. There is a possibility of WPU and NJIT having teams.

Division II Women

Option 1:

Weekends Fall 2017                                                                                                                                       Teams

Sept                                                                                                                                                     North                                                   South

Sat 2 & Sun 3              Open for pre-season scrimmage                       Vassar                                                 Stony Brook

Sat 9 & Sun 10                        Divisional game (N&S)                                      U. at Albany                             Hofstra

Sat 16 & Sun 17          Divisional game (N&S)                                      RPI                                                                  Fairfield

Sat 23 & Sun 24          Divisional game (N&S)                                      Siena                                                   Binghamton

Oct                                                                                                                                                                  Marist                                                   New Paltz

Sat 30 & Sun 1                        Divisional game (N&S)

Sat 7 & Sun 8              Divisional game (N&S)

Sat 14 & Sun 15          Wildcard Playoff

Sat 21 & Sun 22          Conference Quarterfinals

Sat 28 & Sun 29          Conference Semifinals & Consolation final

Nov                                                                                                                                                                                                      Central (NSCRO)

Sat 4 & Sun 5              Conference Championship                                                                               Fordham

Sat 11                                     USA Rugby Round of 32                                                                                  Montclair (DII eligible)

Sat 18 & Sun 19          USA Rugby Rounds of 16 & 8                                                              Manhattanville

Dec                                                                                                                                                                                                      Bard

Sat 2 & Sun 3              USA Rugby Final 4                                                                                                       Drew

Pink sheets were distributed with different options outlined                                          LIU-Post

& discussion followed                                                                                                                                                   Monroe

Option I After Divisional games teams are seeded 1-10 with the North 1-5 & the South 6-10.

Top 6 seeds get byes to Quarterfinal Round; Seed 7 v 10 and 8 v 9 play the wildcard round.

10. Referees/Officials

Conference members should know that their payment of Tri-State Conference dues included the fee charged by the Rugby Referee’s Society. This makes things easier for the Referee’s Society since they do not have to invoice each individual college team and deal with the changes that occur as student treasurers come and go. Teams are still responsible for individual referee payments for officiating a game and this no longer includes travel expenses. The RRSNY & NYRRS now charge a flat fee for a game.

Members are reminded to use the RRSNY web site to contact their assigned referee as well as provide feedback using the RRSNY Referee Evaluation Form.

11. Uniforms and conduct on and off the field

All teams are asked to mandate matching uniforms in an effort to upgrade the image of the sport of rugby. Shorts and socks, just like the jerseys, must match and be of the same color. Coaches should enforce this issue so as to be a part of improving the game.

Please do not use offensive language at any time, be it during the warm-up, as a play call at scrums or lineouts, or direct any such bad language toward other players, teammates, officials or spectators.

Coaches are reminded to act with dignity particularly when on the touchline and set a good example for the players watching the game. Please refer to the Coaching Code of Conduct on the Tri-State Rugby Conference web site.

Uniform – Teams are asked to make every effort to get their team jerseys numbers 1-15 for the starters and for substitutes 16-23.

12. Budget Review

Conference dues for academic year 2017-18 ($600 – no increase). Current balance and statement furnished by accountant.

13. Medical requirements mandatory at games

Teams are reminded that mandatory EMT, ATC, or Physician coverage must be at all games. In addition, members are asked to consult with their school administration and have the school provide the Emergency Medical Plan. If there is no medical coverage at a game play should not take place.

14. Hosting a Tri-State Championship 15s or 7sThe web site has a link to the details for submitting a bid to host a Championship. Please submit these well in advance of the event preferably before the season has started. Every effort will be made to have the venues decided at the AGM but in the event that a decision is not reached then the web site has the bid form.

15. Spring 2017 Sevens & Hosting a Tournament (15s or 7s)

Members must contact the Rugby Referee’s Society of New York and/or the NYRRS in a timely manner, submitting their Spring 2017 Schedules by February 15^th, 2017, to ensure coverage.

Teams intending to host a tournament should first talk with the Referee’s Society, as it is sometimes difficult given the numbers of referees needed for coverage of events to supply sufficient referees. This applies to 7s and 15s tournaments.

16. Certified coaches for each program

All Tri-State Conference coaches must be certified by USA Rugby – Level II. Opportunities are listed on the USA Rugby web site at http://www.USARugby.org .

17. All-Conference Team & All-Star Team

Certificates and T-shirts will be awarded to those selected. Maren Millard of Marist College Women’s Rugby continues to head up this selection process. Discussions have taken place about select side play but as of January 2017 nothing firm has been decided.

18. Sponsorship

Please support RUGBY IMPORTS of Providence, RI – the official sponsor of the conference.

19. Trophies

Please know that all trophies are rotating i.e. they must be returned to the conference each year so as to be engraved and awarded to the champions at each final.

20. Any other business

The Meeting was adjourned – Women at 12:30 pm; Men at 2:15 pm.

For Immediate Release

College Rugby

Monday January 30^th, 2017

Sevens Dates Set

At the Tri-State AGM on Sunday January 29th, 2017 the dates and venues for the Conference 7s Championships were determined after discussion and a vote of the membership.

MEN – Tri-State Rugby Conference 7s Men’s Championship 2017 at Vassar College on Sunday April 2, 2017. Start 10:00 am

WOMEN – Tri-State Rugby Conference 7s Women’s Championship 2017 at Long Island University-Post (venue to be confirmed) on Sunday April 9, 2017. Start 10:00 am

Full details of groups and schedule of games to follow.

Tri-State Collegiate Rugby Conference

Annual General Meeting on Sunday January 29, 2017 at Fordham University, Bronx, NY

Conference web site at http://www.tristaterugby.com

AGENDA

1. Team representatives sign-in – Name, school, cell # and e-mail address.

2. Contact Information – Team representatives are asked to check the team contact details on the conference web site and provide updates and corrections on the sheet provided at the AGM. 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 2017.

3. 7s Championship date – Teams will discuss and determine the date and venue for the Tri-State Rugby Conference 7s.

4. Spring Schedules – Teams will discuss spring schedule dates and can schedule games. All teams must enter their Spring Schedules on the RRSNY or NYRRS website no later than February 15th, 2017.

5. Fall 2016 Summary
   1. Number of Teams
   2. Thanks to Siena College & the Referee Societies
   3. Congratulations to Tri-State Rugby Conference Champions Fall 2016
6. Administration
7. Tri-State Executive Board – elections
8. Men – Fall 2017 Conference Structure & Schedule
9. Women – Fall 2017 Conference Structure & Schedule
10. Referees/Officials
11. Uniforms and conduct on and off the field
12. Budget Review
13. Medical requirements mandatory at games
14. Hosting a Tri-State Championship 15s or
15. Spring 2017 Sevens & Hosting a Tournament (15s or 7s)
16. Certified coaches for each program
17. All-Conference Team & All-Star Team
18. Sponsorship
19. Trophies
20. Any other business

Please feel free to contact tobrown@vassar.edu to add additional items to the agenda.