Alumni Day 2011 RECAP

TCNJ Rugby Alumni & Undergrads 2011

Another amazing Alumni Day has come and gone, and once again, both the Men and Women’s Alumni teams were victorious over the undergrads. 
 
FINAL SCORES
Women: 59-0
Men: 37-34
 
Besides basking in the glory of showing those undergrads to respect their elders, it was a perfect day to be outside and barbecuing with friends new and old.
 
Thanks to the work of the Lions Rugby Alumni Association, undergrad leadership, and staff at TCNJ, we were not only able to pull off another great alumni event, but even have a few extra perks this year — including commemorative plastic “Alumni Day” mugs and a Kevin Cashmoney Millionaire raffle (thanks Cashman!), which raised over $300 for future events and raffled off a rugby prize pack.
 
Speaking of the raffle, a special shout-out must go to the family of Ken Johnsen, Jr. who won the grand 50/50 prize (much thanks to their huge purchase of raffle tickets!), only to donate that cash prize directly back to alumni efforts. Even more than that, the Johnsen family generously donated their own money to support the association’s efforts and brought tons of post-game beverages for everyone on the field that day in memory of Ken.
 
Since the Alumni Men once again seized the coveted Ken Johnsen, Jr. Cup for the second year in a row, “Little” Joe Marginola made sure each of the victorious alums toasted out of the cup to Ken’s honor. We just can’t thank the Johnsen family enough for their incredible support.

The Men’s Alumni also awarded an inaugural Lion’s Eye Award, in memory of the late Jay “Control” Cairns, to an undergrad player who embodies the intensity, focus and drive that was quintessentially Control. The award for 2011 went to team captain Chris Duffy, as he has been the driving force in elevating the program and a fierce warrior on the pitch. Congrats Duff!

It’s also worth highlighting the fantastic turnout the Alumni Women saw this year. Unlike previous years, when the ladies have had to “borrow” rookies just to play a round of 10s, they had a full roster! In fact, most of the ladies on the pitch that day were part of the team during the “glory days” of D2 championship victory back in 2002 (almost 10 YEARS AGO?!?!). Nice work, Alumni Ladies!
 
Thanks to everyone who made it out this past Saturday. Please use the comment section of this post below to include your favorite highlights of the games and requisite debauchery that followed at Slocum’s. (Just please try to keep it PG! Save the rest of that inappropriate stuff for the message board. ) And if you have some  great photos from the event, please share! Email lionsrugbyalumni@gmail.com or send us a message through Facebook.
 
Definitely don’t be a stranger until next May! Remember there are other upcoming events between now and then where you can eat, drink and be merry with your fellow ruggers – so check out our CALENDAR page right now!!

2011 ANNUAL ALUMNI DAY AND MATCHES

If this guy can do it, so can we!

Attention Rugby Alumni!!!!

It’s that time of the year again – time to make sure your old rugby bag has all the necessities.  Boots – check. Absurdly tight shorts – check. Mouth guard – crap, where the hell is it? Do I really have to buy one of these things every year? Offensive smelling socks – check.  Advil – check. More Advil – check. Beer – hell yeah.

Alumni Day is just around the corner – SATURDAY, APRIL 30th to be exact (rain date will be the following day, Sunday, May 1st).  As always family, friends, kiddos (we like to call them the “next generation”) are welcome!

Here are the details:

Location: Really? If you don’t know, you don’t need to know. (Hint: It starts with Green and ends with Lane.)

Game Times:
Women’s Match – 1pm kickoff
Men’s Match* – 3pm kickoff

Alumni should probably try to get there a little early to figure out who is going to attempt to play what position. And we are sure some will be getting there Friday  night for the requisite “practice” at VFW fields/Sloc’s.

*NOTE: As most of you know, the current men’s team is in contention for a national title.  If (WHEN!) they win on Saturday, April 9th, they advance to the finals in Virginia.  The championship game falls on the same weekend as Alumni Day and will mean the undergrad men will not be around to play.  If that turns out to be the case, we will celebrate their win and our organization’s history by playing an EPIC Alumni vs. Alumni Men’s match.  That’s right boys, you’ll have to bring your A game.  No beating up on the youngins this year!  The good news is – The Ken Johnsen, Jr. Cup will spend another year in Alumni possession!

Field Festivities:   Food, soda, and water will be plenty and available during and after the games.  As always it’s BYO for all other refreshments.  You know the drill.

After Game Festivities: Slocum’s has been notified to staff accordingly. That’s all we’re going to say about that.

Hotel info:  A block of rooms have been reserved for Friday April 29th and Saturday April 30th.  Reservations should be made directly with the hotel.  In order to get the special rate, you need to mention TCNJ Reunion or use the online code (when applicable).  Rooms have been reserved at the following hotels for the following rates plus 15% tax:

Marriott Courtyard-Ewing/Hopewell – $114.00 per night plus tax
2.5 miles from TCNJ at 360 Scotch Rd, Ewing
Call 609.771.8100

Springhill Suites by Marriott-Ewing – $119.00 per night plus tax
1.8 miles from TCNJ at 1000 Charles Ewing Road, Ewing
Reservation link – http://cwp.marriott.com/ttnsh/tcnj/ or call 609.530.0900
Your best bet is to call and say you are there for the “TCNJ Reunion.” We are hearing the online reservations aren’t working so great. We also hear this hotel has a shuttle that will take you anywhere within 5 miles (which includes Slocs).

With that said, now is the time to start scrambling to get “in shape” for the game.  Because we all know a few three-ish mile runs between now and the 30th should do the trick….who cares if those runs are to the liquor store!

We can’t wait to see you all there.  It should be one helluva day! Saturday is a Rugby Day!!!

Upcoming Undergrad Games!

Just wanted to update you on upcoming games for the Women’s and Men’s
Teams. Come out and support your local hooker!!! Plus, these kids should probably get a chance to see what they will be up against come Alumni Day on April 30th!

Women’s Schedule:

March 26th: Home vs. Ursinus @11am
April 2nd: Home vs. Drexel @11am
April 9th: @ Drew @11am (AWAY)
April 15-16th: Beast of the East
April 30th: Alumni Day

Men’s Schedule:

March 26/27 – MARFU Championships @ Farmville, VA (Away)
April 2 – TBD
April 9 – Ithaca University (NSCRO Qualifier) – Home-ish (William Antheil Elementary School, 339 Ewingville Road, Ewing .. at the corner of Green Lane).
April 22 – @ Rowan (Away, but not that far!)
April 29 – NSCRO Championships @VA Beach (Away)

Contribute to Alumni Day 2011 and Jersey Orders

CONTRIBUTE TO ALUMNI DAY 2011

If you attended the Alumni Dinner last month, you might remember a mention about needing donations to keep Alumni Day alive this year. In fact, from just the 40 or so people who attended the sit-down meal, we were able to raise nearly $300 to contribute towards Alumni Day festivities. If you weren’t there, or didn’t have an opportunity to donate in cash, here is how you can still help out.

We are currently soliciting contributions of any denomination, but suggested donations are $10-15 person. This will go towards the many expenses (including food!) that go into organizing our favorite yearly get-together. TCNJ will try to match whatever we raise, so the more we raise, the more money (and food!) we can have for April 30.

TO DONATE ONLINE WITH CREDIT, DEBIT or BANK ACCOUNT:

• Visit PayPal.com
• Click on “Send Money”
• Fill out the form to “Send Money Online” with the amount you wish to contribute, and noting that this payment is for “Friends and Family”
• Note: If you chose to pay with a bank account or money that is in your own Paypal account, there will be no charge. If you pay with a credit or debit card, your contribution will be charged $0.59. Feeling generous? Make sure your donation accounts for this charge so we don’t end up with nickels and dimes:)
• Send the payment to this email address: kate@katebernyk.com
• Finally, fill out your payment information and send us your contribution!

We really appreciate your support for this year’s Alumni Day!

ORDERING ALUMNI JERSEYS

If you missed out on last year’s orders for Alumni jerseys, here is another chance to get one before Alumni Day.

If you need a jersey, fill out a MEN’S or WOMEN’S (PDF) order form from 2010 – BUT, be sure to disregard the note about payment. Right now, we cannot submit an order (and thusly know how much the jerseys will cost), unless we have a minimum amount of orders, so definitely fill out an order form to let us know you want a jersey, and once we have enough orders, we will contact you directly with the price. (For frame of reference, last time the jerseys were about $60 a piece.)

Email your “intent to buy a” jersey form to lionsrugbyalumni@gmail.com. Feel free to email that address with any additional questions.

Women’s Jersey

Men’s Jersey

 

Another Successful Alumni Dinner!

For those of you who made it out last Saturday to the 8th Annual Alumni Dinner – it was a fantastic time. We also had a RECORD turnout, with about 45 people sitting down for dinner and well over 80 people in attendance throughout the night.

This crew of misfits is really starting to look like a legit organization of proud alumni! (Not that we want to lose that misfit attitude.)

If you took photos, please kindly upload the non-incriminating ones up to our FACEBOOOK page.

For those of you who could not make it, you were truly missed. Hopefully you will be able to make it out to this year’s Alumni Day and Game, now officially scheduled for Saturday, April 30, 2011. As per usual, women will battle at 1pm, and the men at 3pm. So mark your calendars!

2011 Rugby Alumni Dinner

The Lions Rugby Alumni Association is pleased to announce that Joe’s Mill Hill Saloon & Eatery has welcomed us back (with open arms if you can believe it) for our 8th Annual Alumni Dinner.

We hope all can attend what can only be described as the rugby social event of year!   Feel free to bring significant others, friends, and family (well, the cool ones that is).  Details are below.

• When: Saturday January 29, 2011
• Where: Joe’s Mill Hill Saloon & Eatery, 300 South Broad Street, Trenton NJ (corner of South Broad & Market St)
• What: Dinner 6-8pm (RSVP requested), Drinks 8pm – Close

It will be “pay your own way” again this year with the same set up – dinner in the back room then drinks and general debachery in the main bar. We will be ordering off the menu and splitting the bill again – it worked just fine last year and wasn’t too expensive (about $25 a person, which included dinners and about million pitchers of Guinness!).

Remember, while the bar does accept credit cards, they request we bring CASH to make it easier for them and faster for us. 

RSVP:
Please RSVP to lionsrugbyalumni@gmail.com by January 15, 2010 indicating whether you will be joining us for dinner at 6pm, drinks at 8pm, or both (and the number of non-ruggers accompanying you).  Your timely response will be greatly appreciated!

Parking Information: Street parking will be available – there is a small lot across Market St, and plenty of neighborhood street parking on Mercer & Jackson streets (merely one block from the bar). There is also the Lafayette Street Garage next to the Marriott.  The cost for this can be include with the hotel costs for those staying the night (see below for group rate info).

Accomodations:
Trenton Marriott
1 West Lafayette St
Trenton, NJ
888-796-4662

The Marriott is less then a 10 min walk (even shorter cab ride) from the saloon. We currently have 20 rooms held under a group rate for the night of January 29, 2011.  The price includes parking and if split between a few people isn’t half bad.  The cut off date to make your reservation and get the group rate is January 8 – so book now and don’t miss out!  Also, they have a great cancelation policy (by 4pm on the day of arrival), so it’s best to book now and cancel later if need be.  

GROUP RATE: $ 94.00 – This includes the parking fee but not state and local taxes.

Guests may make their reservations by calling Marriott’s reservation line (888) 796-4662 and requesting the “The College of New Jersey Rugby” group block.

We look forward to seeing everyone out this year – pass the word along – talk it up – it will be a rucking good time!