For Immediate Release

College Rugby

March 22, 2022

Poughkeepsie, NY

Caldwell University to Join Tri-State Conference

This Spring Caldwell University will join the Tri-State Conference and will play in some of the 7s tournaments. The Men’s Rugby program will be a Tri-State Conference Division II competitor in the Fall of 2022 and face Marist College, Rensselaer Polytechnic University, USMMA, Kings Point, William Paterson University and Fairfield University in divisional play. The team is a Club Sport and falls under the auspices of Caldwell Athletics.

Caldwell Caldwell University is a Catholic university in Caldwell, New Jersey. Founded in 1939 by the Sisters of St. Dominic, the university is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, chartered by the State of New Jersey, and registered with the Regents of the University of the State of New York.

For Immediate Release

College Rugby – Women

Thursday March 3, 2022

To: RRSNY & NYSRRS

Re: Tri-State Conference Spring Schedule 2022

cc: Tri-State Conference Teams

Date: 02/15/2022

N.B. Tri-State Teams should check this schedule and send any final corrections to tobrown@vassar.edu

Dear Camille & Percy,

Here is the TS Spring Schedule and I hope we can have at least 2 referees for each 7s event but 5 or 6 for each the Tri-State Championship.

Please note that the Conference will pay for 2 referees per mini-7s event and the additional referee will be paid for by the home/host team.

Referees for 15s games will be paid by the home team.

TRI-STATE COLLEGIATE RUGBY CONFERENCE

SPRING 2022 SCHEDULES as of 02/15/2022

Sunday February 27, 2022

15s at Rutgers University (no referee) Montclair State Women at Rutgers University Women (This is a scrimmage/practice and they do not need a referee. I have asked them to notify me if they do want a referee but for now assume not.)

Saturday March 5, 2022

7s at Rutgers University (2 referees) Fordham Women A, B, C with Rutgers Women A, B, C.

Sunday March 6, 2022 

7s at Montclair State University (2 or 3 referees) MSU Women, Marist Women, Fairfield  Women & Siena Women.

Saturday March 12, 2022

7s at LIU LIU is not a member of the Tri-State Conference and I believe is a Varsity program.

They need to schedule referees with whomever they use for officiating.

Saturday March 26, 2022

7s at Maritime College (2 or 3 referees) Maritime Men, USMMA Men, Fairfield Men & Hofstra Men.

Sunday March 27, 2022

7s at Fordham University (2 or 3 referees) Fordham Women, Molloy Women, Rutgers Women & UNH Women.

7s at Vassar College (Men) (2 or 3 referees) Vassar Men, Marist Men, New Paltz Men, Oneonta Men.

7s at Vassar College (Women) (2 or 3 referees) Vassar Women, Marist Women, New Paltz Women & Maritime Women.

7s at Drew University (2 or 3 referees) Drew Women, MSU Women, Stony Brook Women & U. at Albany Women.

7s at Fairfield University (2 or 3 referees) Fairfield Women, Columbia Women, Rensselaer Women & Hofstra Women.

7s NJ 7s at Brookdale Park (2 or 3 referees) Drew Men, Seton Hall Men, WPU Men & MSU Men.

Saturday April 2, 2022

7s at Hofstra University (changed 3/16/22) (2 or 3 referees) Maritime Women, Hofstra Women, Stony Brook Women & Molloy Women.

7s at SUNY-New Paltz (2 or 3 referees) New Paltz Men, Oneonta Men, Fairfield Men & Vassar Men.

Sunday April 3, 2022

7s at Fairfield University (2 or 3 referees) Fairfield Women, Marist Women, UNH Women & New Paltz Women.

7s at Montclair State University (3 referees) Montclair Women, Columbia Women, Rutgers Women, Fordham Women & Drew Women.

7s at University at Albany (2 or 3 referees) U. at Albany Women, Rensselaer Women, Siena Women & Vassar Women.

7s at Marist College (2 or 3 referees) RPI Men, Marist Men, WPU Men, Seton Hall Men & USMMA Men.

7s at Hofstra University ( 2 or 3 referees) Hofstra Men, Maritime Men, Drew Men, Montclair Men & Fairfield Men.

Saturday April 9, 2022

7s at Fairfield University – Tri-State Conference 7s Women’s Championship  9:00 am

(5 or 6 referees) All 17 Women’s Tri-State Teams.

15s at SUNY-Maritime (1 referee) Maritime v USMMA, Kings Point

Sunday April 10, 2022

7s at Hofstra University – Tri-State Conference 7s  Men’s Championship 9:00 am

(5 or 6 referees) All 13 Tri-State Men’s Teams.

Saturday April 16, 2022

15s at USMMA, Kings Point (1 referee) USMMA Men v Princeton Men.

Sunday April 17, 2022

7s at Vassar College (2 or 3 referees) Vassar Men, Caldwell Men, Drew Men, Hofstra Men & RPI Men.

Saturday April 23, 2022

15s at Hofstra University (2 referees) Fairfield Men & TCNJ Men.

7s at USMMA, Kings Point (2 referees) To be confirmed.

Saturday April 30, 2022

15s at Vassar College (1 referee) Vassar Women v Alumnae XV

15s at Vassar College (1 referee) Vassar Men v Alumni XV

15s at Marist College (1 referee) Marist Men v Alumni XV

15s/7s? at Rutgers University Rutgers Women v Drew Women (to be confirmed) (Referees?)

15s at Hofstra University (2 referees) Hofstra Men, SBU Men, Maritime Men & Maritime Men.

Sunday May 1, 2022

7s at Siena College – Women’s 7s to be confirmed. (Referees?)

Saturday May 7, 2022

7s at Hofstra University Hofstra Women, Siena Women, to be confirmed. (Referee?)

15s at Stony Brook University – SBU Women v Alumnae XV (1 Referee)

15s at Hofstra University (1 referee) Hofstra Men v Alumni XV

Please feel free to reach out to the individual schools (contact numbers are on the website at tristaterugby.com) to verify any details.

The mini-7s events will generally start at 12:00 noon and be done by 4:00 pm or thereabouts.

I am hoping that potential referees i.e. students will be able to referee some of these 7s games, most probably the B-side games, and be mentored by the referees that are there.

Sincerely,

Tony Brown

tobrown@vassar.edu

(845) 380-9052

Vassar College Rugby

Head Coach  

https://youtu.be/bT9jn7I40OI

Senior Lecturer, Athletics & Physical Education
Vassar College, 124 Raymond Avenue, Box 750
Poughkeepsie, NY 12604
http://www.vassarathletics.com/

For Immediate Release

College Rugby

Tri-State Collegiate Rugby Conference

Conference Releases Spring 2022 7s Schedule

A number of mini-7s tournaments have been scheduled with a view to ensuring that all teams get games this spring and that the 7-a-side version of the game improves in standard. There were some 15-a-side games in the Fall that had to be cancelled on account of small rosters. The smaller rosters was a direct result of the pandemic and loss of games in 2020-21. In discussions it was felt that all teams could get a 7s team together and in the event of a team not showing at a mini-tournament the other teams would still get games.

Please see the schedules for the Men & Women by clicking on the links below.

TS 7s Spring 2022 Women 2-2-22

TS 7s Spring 2022 Men 2-2-22

Please be sure to check with the host institution to confirm date, time, venue and participants. In addition please comply with all the institutions spectator policies.

Tri-State Collegiate Rugby Conference

Annual General Meeting on Wednesday February 2^nd, 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:

1. Emma Husk, Hofstra University Women
2. Emma Ackerler, Marist College Women
3. Luke Fortuna, SUNY-New Paltz Men
4. Reggie Ferraro, Stony Brook University Women
5. Victoria Pietraszkiewicz, Rutgers University Women
6. Joe Maiorano, Hofstra University Men
7. Jake Shefcik, Hofstra University Men
8. Trevor Hill, SUNY-Oneonta Men
9. Uriah Whyte, Drew University Men
10. 10.Rachel Papa, Drew University Women
11. 11.Lucia Cappiello, University at Albany Women
12. 12.Katrina Lange, SUNY-New Paltz Women
13. 13.Nicole Hegarty, Fairfield University Women
14. 14.Jan-Michael Monrad, Drew University Women
15. 15.Kara Chamberlain, Marist College Women
16. 16.Jane Kim, Fairfield University Women
17. 17.Alison Aaron – SUNY-New Paltz Women
18. 18.Brad Lawrence USMMA, Kings Point Men
19. 19.Kayla Bonitto, Fordham University Women
20. 20.Julie Byron, Marist College Men & Women
21. 21.James Kimberly, Marist College Men
22. 22.Caroline Nickels, Molloy College Women
23. 23.Caleb Persanis, SUNY-New Paltz Men
24. 24.Kelli Frei, Siena College Women
25. 25.Chris O’Donnell – Seton Hall University Men
26. 26.Tom Patton, SUNY-Maritime College Men and Women
27. 27.Olivia Sturiano – Molloy College Women
28. 28.Bob Wolf Director of Rugby Operations, SUNY-Maritime College Men & Women
29. 29.Rob Ploth- Hofstra University Men
30. 30.Austin Ryan, Fairfield University Men & Women 
31. 31.Tony Brown, Vassar College Men & Women
32. 32.Andrew Denson, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Men & Women
33. 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 9^th, 2022 at Fairfield University

MEN – Sunday April 10^th, 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!

Tri-State Collegiate Rugby Conference

Annual General Meeting on Wednesday February 2^nd, 2021

via

Zoom

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

8:00 – 9:30 pm

AGENDA

1. Roll Call of Team representatives
2. Contact Information – Team representatives are 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. 7s Tri-State Championship dates  WOMEN – Saturday April 9^th, 2022 at Fairfield University  MEN – Sunday April 10^th, 2022 at Hofstra University

4. Spring Schedules – Will be published on the TS web site.

If you have not done so please submit them to tobrown@vassar.edu

5. Fall 2021 Report
6. Covid hit Fall but we prevailed thanks to administrators, coaches and players.
7. Thanks to both the Referee Societies (RRSNY & NYRRS)
8. Congratulations to Tri-State Rugby Conference Champions Fall 2021

1. 1. – Marist College Men, 2. Vassar College Women & 3. Hofstra University Men.

6. USA Rugby & NCR update
7. Men – Fall 2022 Conference Structure & Schedule
8. Women – Fall 2022 Conference Structure & Schedule
9. Referees/Officials
10. Uniforms and conduct on and off the field
11. Budget Review
12. Medical requirements mandatory at games
13. Mini-7s Tournaments (4 or 5 teams)
14. Certified coaches for each program
15. All-Conference Team & All-Star Team
16. Sponsorship & Trophies
17. Any other business

To: All Tri-State Conference Rugby Teams

For Immediate Release

Collegiate Rugby

Friday January 7, 2022

Tri-State Conference Agrees 7s Schedule for Spring 2022 (Schedule shown below)

In an effort to rebuild team rosters by attracting new players to the sport the Tri-State Conference for the first time has placed a significant emphasis on the Seven-a-side game this Spring. On three consecutive weekends teams in the Conference will play 4 or 5 team round-robin tournaments.

Covid-19 led to a lost year an a half of rugby games and most team rosters were depleted. This led to some cancellations of games in the Fall and so in an effort to ensure players get playing experience it was thought that 7s events would be a good option. By scheduling 4 teams at a single venue there are a number of benefits: 1. If a team is not able to play because of Covid cases or restrictions on travel, then the other teams will still get to play; 2. A team only needs 7-12 players as opposed to 15-23; 3. The game itself has less components to coach than 15s so newcomers can quickly participate; 4. The games are short and with the emphasis on open field running and passing it’s a lot of fun; 5. Each event can start at 12:00 noon and be completed by 4:00 pm with each team having an A & B side entered and this means that it’s pretty much the same as a regular 15s game in the Fall when there is an A & B game. 6. The events will use Society Referees as well as trainee referees from each participating team and it is hoped that these trainees will get a taste of refereeing and eventually join the society.

The Covid-19 situation with the Omicron variant spreading may cause disruption but we have in place a schedule that we hope to implement. School administrators will make decisions re: hosting and participation and the Conference will obviously defer to their policies and judgement.

7s Schedule

WOMEN

MEN