Out of Hibernation

Spring rugby.

Rugby is back. Round two of the Six Nations is in the books, Super Rugby and the MLR kicked off this weekend, the inaugural WER begins in a few weeks, and the New Paltz Hawks are beginning their preseason as we speak.

Mark your calendars for this year’s alumni weekend May 2nd-4th. This is the 40th anniversary of the founding of New Paltz rugby in 1985 and we are expecting a big turnout to celebrate. For those interested in playing golf on Friday, please contact Joe Crimi for more info. If you need his contact, reply to this email to get connected.

Soon-to-be fellow alumni.

The beginning of the spring semester means graduation is fast approaching for the senior class. One of the most important aspects of an alumni network is to connect students with professional opportunities. Listed below are the student-athletes that will be walking across the stage in May. If you are in a related industry and are open to speaking with them, please reply to this email and we will get you connected. This does not need to be a job offer. Just having a conversation with a professional further along the track has tremendous value. If you have an opening for an internship or entry-level position that may be a good fit, don’t hesitate to relay that as well.

August Berman - Majored in environmental studies with a minor in political science. Intends to earn a master’s degree in environmental law at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow.

Lexi Madden - Majored in biochemistry. Looking for opportunities in pharmaceutical science.

Jass Savio - Double majored in international relations and history with a minor in French. Want to work a the UN headquarters in Manhattan.

Meredith Hlavaty - Majored in psychology. Would like to work as an animal behaviorist and researcher. She is contemplating a master’s degree program and is looking for remote work.

James Norris - Majored in psychology. Looking for a position in the mental health field or sales, working with kids, and staying in the Hudson Valley.

Caleb Persanis - Double majored in political science and history. Applying to law school in New York.

Frederick Asher - Majored in geography with an urban planning concentration. Wants to work in urban planning in the greater NYC area.

Ryan Brown - Majored in visual art and graphic design. Looking for freelance work.

Josh Holland-Weiss - Double majored in finance and communications. Interested in moving back to Suffolk County.

Kyle Spratley - Majored in economics. Open to anything involving economics.

Dominic Vernola - Majored in history. Pursuing the police academy.

Sean Ryan - Majored in business. Wants to work in portfolio management, sales, and/or investment analysis in New York or South Carolina.

Liam Haran - Majored in adolescent education - social studies. Looking for teaching jobs in the lower Hudson Valley/Westchester/Long Island.

First look at competition schedules.

Subject to change, below is the current schedule for both teams this spring:

The Hughes family needs our help.

Todd “Creature” Hughes is a pillar of the New Paltz rugby community. As he undoubtedly has helped many young players over the years, it’s now our turn to help him. His oldest son Brayden, only 19 years old, was found to have a tumor on his brain stem in November. After multiple surgeries and rounds of rehab, Brayden is on the mend. However, the medical bills have put a significant strain on the Hughes family and any contribution to help ease that will make a difference. Please consider donating to help a fellow New Paltz rugby alum in need.

Alumni shoutouts.

Congratulations to two of our alumni on newly appointed positions in the rugby world: Jared Lachner is the new Head Coach of the Rockaway Fishheads men’s club and Dean Hottum was selected as the NYC Director of High Performance for the Empire GU. Andrew Torres is going to be taking the field at the NRL 9’s in Laz Vegas and Rich Mundy will be coaching his second season at Fordham Prep this spring.

Yesterday, three alumni and the current men’s president, Caleb Persanis, attended a coaching clinic put on by the irish professional side Leinster - consistently one of the top three professional teams in the world.

If you are partaking in rugby in any capacity this spring, please let us know!

Go Hawks!