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
- Team representatives signed-in – Name, school, cell # and e-mail address.
- 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 1st, 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Fall 2016 Summary – Provided by the director
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Budget Review
Conference dues for academic year 2017-18 ($600 – no increase). Current balance and statement furnished by accountant.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 15th, 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.
- 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 .
- 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.
- Sponsorship
Please support RUGBY IMPORTS of Providence, RI – the official sponsor of the conference.
- 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.
- Any other business
The Meeting was adjourned – Women at 12:30 pm; Men at 2:15 pm.