Reunion Weekend A Rousing Success
Thank you to everyone who traveled to Happy Valley for the 2018 Penn State Rugby Friends and Family Weekend! More than 200 people attended this year’s festivities, which were kicked off on Friday with the Alumni Golf Outing. Tim Antoian and Chris “Nova” Wolff took charge of the event this year with over 20 golfers playing “scramble” golf on the Blue Course. On Friday evening, we celebrated the founders of the Women’s Program at a dinner at the Nittany Lion Inn. Everyone who attended was treated to hearing the team’s pioneers recount how it all started and how much their experiences and the program’s overall journey has meant to them. On Saturday, the Alumni played the undergrad teams in perfect weather conditions on real grass with Beaver Stadium in the background – just like the old days! The matches were competitive and fun for both players and spectators.
Chris Henry's Saving Grace
At the start of 1986, Chris ‘Baby’ Henry didn’t know rugby would eventually save her life. In fact, she barely knew what rugby was. But, that changed when her college roommate told her to come her rugby match.
Mid-game, a player was injured, and Chris heard her roommate shout, “Hey, Baby, go get my extra cleats out of my car. Put ‘em on, we need you to hook.” The Penn State players quickly taught Chris what she needed to know and sent her on the field.
For The Love Of The Game- 90s Grad Stays In Touch Through Sport
Former Penn State Rugby player Suzanne Blasi-Bombardieri began her rugby journey when she stumbled upon a recruitment flyer in her freshman dorm in 1989. Interested, she contacted the team and confessed that although she played sports in high school, rugby was not one of them.
“Don’t worry, we’ll teach you,” said the girl on the other line, and now Suzanne can’t imagine her life without Penn State Rugby.
Read more: For The Love Of The Game- 90s Grad Stays In Touch Through Sport
