For Immediate Release

College Rugby

Wednesday June 17th, 2020

Tri-State Collegiate Rugby Conference

NY, NJ & CT

Rugby Fall 2020 and Covid-19 – Decision July 31st, 2020

The advent of the Covid-19 pandemic in the USA and the devastating impact particularly in the New York metropolitan area, i.e. The Tri-State region of NY, NJ and CT, has cast a shadow on the 2020-21  Rugby season.

As of this date, June 17th, 2020 it seems that every school is in limbo and discussing return to education options that include a wide range of options from on-line only classes to in-person teaching back on campus. I think it is fair to say that all schools will follow Federal, State, Governing Body (USA Rugby/NCAA), Local Health Department and School guidelines. It has been encouraging to see the cooperation between the 3 State Governors and that bodes well for the Tri-State area.

The Tri-State Conference will make a decision on the Fall 2020 Season at the end of July that will take into consideration all of the above mentioned administrative bodies. However, it may help to provide examples of what may happen:

Scenarios

It could be that there are no intercollegiate games and the Fall 2020 season is cancelled;

Travel in buses may be an issue and force cancellation of games;

Some schools may allow teams to practice but not play games;

Some schools may open later and allow competition so schedules would need to be modified;

Some schools may opt to only play opponents in the same State that they know are adhering to guidelines;

There may be a version of a regular season and no postseason.

There are no doubt other scenarios and it could well be that just a few institutions play games with others only practicing while some opt to cancel their club sports programs this Fall.

I would encourage all to wear masks in public, observe social distancing and wash hands regularly. This has worked to contain the spread. Containment will allow our hospitals to cope and with widespread testing and then tracing when cases are discovered we can avoid significant outbreaks.

Please feel free to contact me at any time with questions and concerns.

“Serving Collegiate Rugby in the NY, NJ and CT area.”

http:wwwtristaterugby.com

To: All Tri-State Conference Rugby Teams (Men & Women)

Re: 2020-21 Season

Dear Tri-State Rugby Conference Members,

I trust that you are well and managing to cope in these difficult times particularly those still in the Tri-State area. I do want to share that this pandemic has hit home personally with a former Vassar player, a Brooklyn teacher, passing away and I would imagine that many of you know of family, friends, colleagues or associates who have also been struck by this virus. Please accept my sympathies.

It is well to remember that while we are rivals on the field we are a community with a passionate like interest off the field and we undoubtedly wish only the best for all our rugby fraternity/sorority. So please be safe as we battle this insidious enemy.

At this point (April 15, 2020) we cannot be sure there will be a Fall Rugby Season and it seems trite given the current circumstances to ask you to turn your attention to the Fall Schedules. But I would ask that if you have some time you review the attachment. It’s an Excel spreadsheet with 7 sheets showing the Fall Schedules and the Playoff structures.

Quick comments

Men’s Division II – Same schedule as last Fall but with the venues reversed. The same teams are competing.

DII Men April 15, 2020

Women’s Division II (North Div. & South Div.) – The vote by teams was for the tiered divisions (Option 2) with all making the playoffs. We have added Columbia University Women from the Ivy League, meanwhile Montclair State University Women have moved into this tier.

DII Women April 15, 2020

Women’s NSCRO (Central Div.) – SUNY-Maritime Women have formed a team and entered this division while Monroe College Women and the University of New Haven Women have joined. So, along with Bard College Women, Drew University Women and Fordham University Women there are now 6 teams.

NSCRO Women June 5, 2020

Men’s NSCRO (Central Div.) – Western Connecticut State University Men have joined this division and that brings the total number of teams to 10. The format is the same as last fall.

NSCRO Men April 15, 2020

Just find your division and please review the schedule then get back to me with any discrepancies or errors. Please share this with your Club Sports Director, Faculty Advisor, Athletics Department and/or Student Association, so that they may have input if necessary.

A final version will be published at the start of May once every team has responded and any edits/changes have been made.

Many, many thanks for your time and please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns. Do take care.

Sincerely,

Tony Brown

tobrown@vassar.edu

(845) 380-9052

Tri-State Rugby Conference, Inc.
Director
http://www.tristaterugby.com

All Schedules April 15, 2020

Men’s Playoffs April 15, 2020

Ws Playoffs April 15, 2020

To: All Tri-State Conference Teams

Re: Spring Season 2020 – Coronavirus (Covid-19)

A large number of schools have had their seasons cancelled or at best postponed with a decision to be made in mid-April as to whether there will be any sports played.

Universities and colleges are extending spring break and many are going to on-line instruction so campus communities will be reduced.

The venues for the Conference 7s Championships are not available now and given that our spring season is essentially just the end of March and the month of April there is little point in having a “spring season.”

The Tri-State Conference will therefore cancel all rugby games this Spring and hope to resume in the Fall.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Tony Brown

tobrown@vassar.edu

(845) 380-9052

Tri-State Rugby Conference, Inc.
Director
http://www.tristaterugby.com

TS Spring 2020 Schedules

rrsny.assignments@gmail.com

as of 2/20/20

Weekend of Feb 22/23

2/22 Fordham University Women vs Manhattanville College Women @ Fordham

2/23 Drew University Men at Hofstra University Men 15s @ Hofstra

Weekend of Feb 29/ Mar 1st

2/29 Frostbite 7s

3/1 Fairfield University Women hosting a 7s Tournament @ Fairfield with Fordham Women, Yale Women, Marist Women, Hofstra Women & U. New Haven 9:00 am

Weekend of Mar 7/8

3/7 William Paterson Men 7s Tournament with Seton Hall & others about 14 teams in total; Also women (MSU attending) 9:00 am @ WPU

3/7 SUNY-New Paltz Men at Hofstra University men 15s @ Hofstra

Weekend of Mar 14/15

Weekend of Mar 21/22

3/21 Ithaca College Men at Hofstra University Men 15s @ Hofstra

3/22 Albany Knicks Touch Tournament (RPI Men)

3/22 Fairfield University Women at UMass Lowell 7s Tournament

3/22 Siena Women Memorial 15s Tournament with Drew & others @ Siena

3/22 Maritime Women & Men scrimmage vs Monroe @ Maritime

3/22 Marist Men vs Binghamton @ Marist

Weekend of Mar 28/29

3/28 SUNY-New Paltz Women vs Vassar College Women @ Vassar 12:00 noon

3/28 Fairfield University Women at Yale University Women 7s Tournament @ Yale

3/28 Rutgers Uni. Men 7s Tournament with Seton Hall & others @ Rutgers

3/28 7s Tournament @ Fordham with Hofstra Men & others

3/28 or 29 RPI Women v SUNY-Oswego @ RPI

3/29 Western Connecticut Men vs Vassar College Men @ Vassar 12:00 noon

3/29 Marist College Men at SUNY-Oneonta Men @ Oneonta

3/29 Rutgers Women 7s Tournament with Drew & others @ Rutgers

3/29 Bard College Women 7s Tournament with Fordham University Women, Albany, Drew & Manhattanville College Women @ Bard

Weekend of Apr 4/5

4/4 Stony Brook University Women at Vassar College Women @ Vassar

4/4 U. at Albany Women’s 7s Tournament Round -Robin (with Manhattanville Women & SUNY-New Paltz Women) @ U. Albany

4/4 Fordham Women mini-tournament vs Bard, Manhattanville, and Maritime @ Fordham

4/4 Fairfield University Women at Union College (15s)

4/4 Princeton Women 7s Emperor Tournament with Drew, Rutgers & others

4/5 SUNY-New Paltz Men – 7s @ New Paltz with Vassar Men, Oneonta Men & Molloy Men.

4/5 Hofstra Men vs Alumni @ Hofstra

4/5 U. New Haven vs Southern Connecticut @ U. New Haven 10:00 am

Weekend of Apr 11/12

4/11 Tri-State Conference Men’s 7s Championship @ Vassar 9:00 am – 5:30 pm

4/11 U. at Albany Women v Union College Women @ Albany

4/12 Salisbury State University Women vs Vassar College Women @ Vassar 10:00 am

4/12 RPI Men v Siena/Stony Brook venue TBD

Weekend of Apr 18/19

4/18 & 4/19 Beast of the East Tournament in Portsmouth, RI

4/18 DIPS 7s Tournament @ William & Marshall

4/19 MSU Women vs Widener Women @ MSU

Weekend of Apr 25/26

4/25 SUNY-Oneonta Men at SUNY-Oswego Tournament

4/26 Tri-State Conference Women’s 7s Championship @ Stony Brook 9:00 am – 5:30 pm

4/26 Princeton 7s Tournament with Seton Hall Men, Vassar Men, Hofstra Men & others

Weekend of May 2/3

5/2 Vassar Alumnae/i Women v Vassar College Women @ Vassar KO 11:00 am

5/2 Vassar Alumnae/i Men v Vassar College Men @ Vassar KO 12:00 noon

5/2 U. New Haven Women vs UNH Alumnae @ UNH 11:30 am

5/2 Stony Brook Women vs Alumnae @Stony Brook

5/2 MSU Women vs Alumnae MSU @ Brookdale

Weekend of May 9/10

5/9 Long Island Cup hosted by Stony Brook Men (7s with Monroe Men, Molloy Men, Hofstra Men)

Tri-State Collegiate Rugby Conference Annual General Meeting on Sunday January 26^th, 2020 at Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson, NY

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

Women at 12:00 pm          Men at 2:30 pm

SUMMARY OF DISCUSSIONS AT AGM

Team representatives signed-in. The Conference consists of seventeen (17) women’s teams and all but Stony Brook University were represented. The Stony Brook coach was unable to attend due to a last minute family issue.

Attendees: Women’s Teams (17) – Bard College, Drew University, Fairfield University, Fordham University, Hofstra University, Manhattanville College, Marist College, Monroe College, Montclair State University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Rutgers University, Siena College, Stony Brook University, SUNY-New Paltz, University at Albany, University of New Haven and Vassar College. In addition a new program, the SUNY-Maritime College Women was represented.

There are 15 men’s teams in the Conference and twelve (12) were in attendance.

Attendees: Men’s Teams (12) – Bard College, Drew University, Hofstra University, Marist College, Molloy College, Monroe College, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, SUNY-New Paltz, SUNY-Oneonta, USMMA Kings Point and Vassar College.

Not present: Montclair State University, Seton Hall University and William Paterson University.

Contact Information – Team representatives checked the team contact details on the conference web site and provided updates and corrections. The Conference website and mailing list has been updated with this information.

Conference 7s Championships dates and venues confirmed.  

The Women’s Conference  7s Championship will take place on Sunday April 26^th, 2020 at Stony Brook University. The Men’s Conference  7s Championship will take place on Saturday April 11^th, 2020 at Vassar College.Both Championships will start at 9:30 am

Spring Schedules – Teams were reminded to check with the Referee Society if they chose to host a 7s tournament or mini-7s tournament.

Teams must send their Spring Schedules to the Conference – tobrown@vassar.edu and to the Referee Society no later than February 15th, 2020.

Fall 2019 Report & Conference Website

A brief synopsis of the Fall 2019 Season was presented and sheets with the regular season standings and playoff results were distributed. The Tri-State Rugby Conference Fall 2020 Champions and playoff teams were recognized.

Administration

A request for help running the conference was made and 3 women volunteered to assist with improving the conference web site. In addition, Andy McDonnell, volunteered to serve with Rob Gilmore on a fiscal committee.

USA Rugby & Colleges update – Conference Division II & NSCRO

The current situation with USA Rugby was outlined and mention of the conference potentially joining NSCRO, NIRA, ECAC or remaining a part of USA Rugby was discussed. At present the conference is waiting to see if and how USA Rugby will reorganize before determining the best alignment for the teams and players of the conference. A couple of articles were made available to the teams detailing the predicament that USA Rugby has created. Due to serious fiscal mismanagement they have incurred substantial debt and the future of the governing body is uncertain.

Fall 2020 Conference Structure & Schedule (to be published Spring 2020)

Women

At the meeting there was a god discussion about how to structure the divisions in the future i.e. Fall 2020. Manhattanville College Women will depart as that program is to be a varsity team and will join the National Intercollegiate Rugby Association (NIRA). Following the AGM a list of alignment and playoff options were sent to all the women’s teams and they were asked to choose a preferred option. The divisional alignments and playoff format for the women’s teams will be determined once the votes have been counted.

Men

The Conference was contacted by Columbia University Men with a view to that team possibly joining the conference. However, the membership felt that this would constitute a significant imbalance in the competitive structure of the conference and so at this time Columbia University Men are not to be a part of the Tri-State Conference. Western Connecticut State University also have expressed an interest in joining the conference and was accepted to be a part of the NSCRO division starting in the Fall of 2020 – as long as the team is in good standing with the current conference of which it is a member and the school administration.

Referees/Officials

Teams were reminded that we should be wholly inclusive as a sport and that the referees are an integral part of the rugby community. Teams were asked to be courteous and welcoming to the referees for games understanding that we all share a love of the same sport.

Uniforms and conduct on and off the field

Teams were asked to ensure that all teams on the field wear matching uniforms. Jerseys, shorts and socks should be the same so that we can present the sport in a serious light and not be considered intramural or like a pick-up game.

Budget Review

The accounting firm of D’Arcangelo & Co., LLP has responsibility for the Conference account and members with questions can contact the firm directly. The dues paid for the academic year 2019-20 were provided as were statements from the Bank of America for the months September through December 2019. The current balance in the Conference account is $22,061.57

Expenditures had been for the most part for referee dues and playoff expenses. In addition at the start of the academic year every team had been sent field flags (14) and Conference rugby balls for divisional play. Further discussion concerned wanting to keep a good balance so as to be able to fund teams in need of a subsidy at playoff time. In addition, with the introduction of select side teams funds would be needed to assist those programs.

Medical requirements mandatory at games

Teams were asked to ensure that their college or university develop an Emergency Medical Plan for the rugby team(s). Club Officers were asked to approach the Club Sport Director, Recreational Sport Director or Faculty Advisor and have them oversee this plan.    

All-Conference Team

The Fall All-Conference Team nominees should be sent to the conference and the team(s) announced. Maren Milliard of Marist College Women has agreed to facilitate this together with Jack Wallace of Fairfield University Women.

Select Side Teams

James Kimberley of Marist College Men & Andrew Denson of Rensselaer Polytechnic Men agreed to initiate a Men’s Tri-State Select side program.

Tiffany Faaee of Monroe College agreed to initiate a Women’s Tri-State Select side program. These programs would commence in the Fall of 2020 with player identification and games in the spring of 2021 would be scheduled.

Tri-State Collegiate Rugby Conference

Fall 2019 Playoffs

Division II – Women

Quarterfinals

Sunday October 27, 2019

• SUNY-New Paltz Women 5 at 36 Vassar College Women
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Inst. Women 29 at 10 Stony Brook Uni. Women
• Hofstra University Women 0 at 72 Marist College Women
• University at Albany Women 14 at 38 Fairfield University Women

Semifinals

Sunday November 3, 2019

• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Women at Vassar College Women
• Marist College Women at Fairfield University Women

Women’s Finals

Saturday November 9, 2019

At Siena College, Loudonville, NY                    Top 3 teams advance to USA Rugby

12:30 pm 3^rd/4^th Place playoff game               National Championship Round of 32

2:00 pm Conference Championship game    on Sat. Nov. 16, 2019 Opponent &

                                                                                    venue TBA.

Ws Playoffs 2019

Division II – Men

First Round

Sunday October 27, 2019

• Monroe College Men 15 at 18 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Men
• Seton Hall University Men 0 at 61 Marist College Men

Semifinals

Sunday November 3, 2019

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Men at USMMA, Kings Point Men

Marist College Men at William Paterson University Men

Final

Sunday November 10, 2019

At Higher seed

Semifinal winners             Conference Champion advances to USA Rugby National Championship Playoffs – Sat. Nov. 16, 2019 Opponent & venue TBA.

Ms Playoffs 2019

Standings & Playoffs

Sunday October 27, 2019

Quarterfinals – Women

SUNY-New Paltz Women at Vassar College Women

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Women at Stony Brook University Women

Hofstra University Women at Marist College Women

University at Albany Women at Fairfield University Women

Click on link below to see the complete Women’s playoff picture…

Ws Playoffs 2019

First Round – Men

Monroe College Men at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Men

Seton Hall University Men at Marist College Men

Click on link below to see the complete Men’s playoff picture…

Ms Playoffs 2019

Fall 2019 Regular Season Standings

Standings 2019 (2)

Results Fall 2019

Results Fall 2019

For Immediate Release

College Rugby

Poughkeepsie, NY

May 16, 2019

Tri-State Collegiate Rugby Conference Fall 2019 Schedules Published

The Fall 2019 Season is three and a half months away but looking at the Tri-State Conference team schedules it promises to be a real thriller of a Rugby competition. William Paterson University Men will want to repeat in both 15s and 7s while the Vassar College Women are favored to win the 15s given that they are the defending USA Rugby National Fall Division II Champions.

The Men’s Division II is smaller than last fall with the departure of The College of New Jersey to a Pennsylvania conference and the fact that Hofstra University and Molloy College have moved to the Central (NSCRO) Division. However, Monroe College move up and will provide a new challenge for the other Division II teams.

The Women’s Division II teams are divided into a North and South Division and then teams will compete in the post season with a play-in round prior to a quarterfinal round. The return of the University at Albany and Rutger’s University is likely to up the level of competition. In addition Siena College, who have increased their numbers and bolstered the program with a Director of Rugby, as well as Marist College, always a force, make this Conference one of the more competitive Division II entities in the country.

The Men’s Central Division will send one team to post-season in the NSCRO Champions Cup and another to the NSCRO Challenge Cup. Vassar and Bard will hope to field teams this fall but numbers have been low hence this grouping of teams was changed from a 2-division set-up to a single 9 team division. Each team will play 8 games and the final standings will determine the playoff teams.

Click on a link below to see each divisional schedule or review the post-season playoffs

TS 2019 Men’s DII Schedules

TS 2019 Women Div. II Schedules

TS 2019 Men Central NSCRO Schedule

TS 2019 Women Central NSCRO Schedule

TS 2019 Men’s Playoffs

TS 2019 Women Playoffs

Please feel free to contact the Conference with any questions or concerns. E-mail tobrown@vassar.edu or call (845) 380-9052

For Immediate Release

College Rugby

Poughkeepsie, NY

Sunday April 28th, 2019

The Vassar College Women finished the 2018-19 season on a massive high winning the Tri-State Conference 7s.

The Championship went off like clockwork although the weather was cold and wet. The outstanding RRSNY officials did a wonderful job moving the games along. The tournament consisted of 4 groups of 4 and the top 2 in each group advanced to the single elimination playoffs with quarterfinals, semis and the final.

In Group A the Montclair State University Women defeated the defending champions Marist College and topped the group. Marist had a slew of injuries that really hampered their defense but they advanced as the second team from A.

In Group B Vassar and SUNY-New Paltz Women went through with the Hawks getting past Fordham and Siena B.

In Group C it was Fairfield that looked particularly strong with plenty of pace and the surprise was that the Vassar Women B-side squeezed into second place and a quarterfinal slot.

In group D Stony Brook University Women emerged as the top team with Siena College the runner-up.

Quarterfinal match-ups saw Montclair State v SUNY-New Paltz; Vassar v Marist; Fairfield v Siena; Stony Brook v Vassar B.

Stony Brook took care of Vassar B; Marist fell to Vassar A; Montclair defeated New Paltz and Siena beat Fairfield.

In the semifinals Vassar faced a very quick Montclair team and at the same time Stony Brook took on Siena.

The final pitted Vassar against the Stony Brook University Women and in difficult conditions, more akin to November than April, Vassar ran in 6 tries and kept a clean sheet.

See all the results here:

W 7s 2019-1

See the Standings after round-robin play here:

W 7s Standings 2019

Congratulations to all the teams for a good day of 7s.