FSUWRFC Alumni Connection

1.16.13 - Alum Christina Mazzara checked in with this update:
My name at the time was Christina Mazzara and I can't remember the exact years but I'm thinking it was 80-82 but I could be a little off. I just stumbled upon this rugby site and I can't believe Candi is still seriously involved. She was the best and fastest rugby player I've ever seen. She could cut side to side like no other. I live in Delray Beach Florida and work as a Wealth Management Advisor for Merrill Lynch for the past 29 years. Please tell any of the girls that are still around from that era that I said hello."
Great to hear from you, Christina! Drop Christina an email at: Christina Mazzara Cleveland.

Alum BB Alley is running the Boston Marathon! She's running it to benefit for The Second Step, a comprehensive program with long-term support services for families rebuilding their lives after domestic violence. Here's the link to donate to BB's campaign to assist The Second Step. Good luck BB!

12.22.11 - Sad news from alum Val Sullivan who lost her Dad following an illness in Blackburg, VA. Our condolences to Val and all her family and friends at this difficult time.

11.9.11 - Alum Lisa Levison, CEO with Decontamination and Restoration Service, Inc, checked in with some exciting news, "my son, Turner is 23 now - and playing for UGA as a flanker, wing and scrum half." Great to hear from you Lisa! Contact Lisa at lisa@drskits.com

10.12.11 - Alum Mary Waller is walking in this year's Tallahassee Heart Walk, a 5K walk benefiting the American Heart Association. You can help Mary by making a donation. Click the link below to visit her personal page where you can make a secure, tax-deductible online donation. The American Heart Association's fundraising website has a minimum donation amount of $25.00. Visit Mary's Fundraising web page to help Mary in her efforts to support American Heart Association - Leon, FL.

9.28.11 - This just in from alum Tracy (Schwam) Posess - "Just a reminder of who I am and when I played...played back in 80-82 along with Candi, Susie, Kathy and Cathy, etc. So I guess that makes me an OLD GIRL! (winger). I didn't know about that reunion last year or I would have attended. Is there anything planned for this year coming up? I live in South Florida now, but still interested in catching up with everyone if there's an event." Great to hear from another long lost alum! Send Tracy a message at TPOSESS@AOL.COM

7.15.11 - CJ Vosk sent in her new email addy and this note... "still very glad to check in sporadically and find "recent" info, love my good memories from Tallahassee, no matter where 'the usual suspects" travel or reside : )" Great to hear from you CJ! Contact CJ at: cjv13adv@verizon.net

1.6.10 - A Tallahassee memorial service for "Bekah" Miller was held January 11 at the Rec SportsPlex. The memorial was a celebration of Bekah's life after her sudden and and unexpected passing. The passion and intensity she brought to this team and to the game of rugby will be greatly missed by everyone. Her memorial service was held on Wednesday, December 22, at 10 a.m. at Forest Hills Presbyterian Church, 709 W. Linebaugh Ave. Tampa, 33612. View this memorial video put together by teammate Cherish Beacham. Read more Memories of Bekah by Kendall Vaughn.

2.21.11 - A quick update on alum Danielle Moore: She is now happily married (congrats to Danielle and Terri!) and living in New Jersey and running the family business. Contact Danielle at: danielle20079@aol.com.

10.25.10 - Alum Candi Orsini, now coaching the Tampa Bay Women's Club, was in Tallahassee over the weekend for a friendly match against FSU. Here's an article featuring her new team. Candi is the assistant coach for the US Women's National Team. Read more from Tampa Creative Loafing.

10.22.10 - Alum Dana Teagarden makes referee history! From USA Rugby.org: USA Rugby is proud to announce that National Panel Referee Dana Teagarden has been appointed by the International Rugby Board (iRB) to referee the upcoming international test match between The Netherlands and Hong Kong on December 18, 2010 in Amsterdam. This makes Teagarden the first woman ever to referee a senior menšs international match. Bravo Dana! Read more.

10.19.10 - Kathy Flores announced she is stepping down from her position as Head Coach of the US Women's National Team at the end of 2010. Read more on USA Rugby.org site.

9.7.10 - Alum Candi Orsini sent this photo direct from England at the 2010 Women's World Cup. "FSU Old Girl Sighting...in England no less! What a wonderful surprise to see Terry Owen at Surrey Sports Park. I had a great time hanging out with Terry and Rebecca celebrating our win over Kazakhstan." Candi is the Backs Coach for the US Team and Kathy Flores is the Head Coach. The team just finished the World Cup with a number 5 ranking in the World! Read more here: Women's World Cup.

8.24.10 - Alum Dana Teagarden is now a top referee in the rugby world. She is pictured here during last week's Australia vs. Wales Women's World Cup match. She's on the referee staff for the entire World Cup. Go Dana!

6.7.10 - Another alum has re-connected! Denise Ramos (formerly Stewart) checked in with this:
"I played on the FSU rugby team from 1994 to 1998. I played flanker my 1st year and then prop for my next 3. I am currently married and living in Boynton Beach, FL. I work for Broward County Water and Wastewater as a chemist at one of their water plants. I would love to hear what the other girls are doing."
Great to hear from you, Denise. Contact Denise at: job12sgirl@aol.com

2010 All Year Reunion Was a Blast

4.8.10 - The FSUWRFC All Year Reunion is right around the corner! Mark your calendars and pull out your favorite old jersey for a visit to Tallahassee on April 9-11, 2010! Visit the Facebook event page to let us know if you are coming and for more details!

Alumni Weekend Information

Friday, April 9, 2010

1pm - 3pm: Alumni Rugby Match, Kickoff will be at 2pm. Alums, please bring your favorite old jersey to wear in the match or on the sideline... size permitting ; )
Alums... this is our new PERMANENT rugby pitch!!! (note the new address... located off Orange Ave.)
Florida State University Rec SportsPlex
3950 Tyson Road, Tallahassee, 32310

In addition to the current team, here is the current guest list:
Kathy Flores
Candi Orsini
Karen King
Terry Owen
BB Alley
Jackie Watts
Kathy Kojm
Rachel Shillinglaw
Fran Gilbert
Gina Shlopak
Devon Myers
Nancy Dennis Campbell
Robin Pace
Paula Shirley
Mary Waller
Val Sullivan
Bronnie McIntosh
Colleen Fahey
Cathy Caldarola
Nicole Blackman
Lori Light
Ros Chou (Reunion Organizer)
Tayreen Febles Nelson
Theresa "Tree" Garvin Yong
Heather Oliver
Andrea Swift
Sarah Crockett (Fri. nite only)
Chrissy Wright
Sahar Bahmadi
Adriana Gutierrez
Milca Fils-Aime
Lucy Schultz
Wendy Lewis Knight
April DiGiannantonio
Diana "Dirty" Debonis
Kristen Ludlam
Lindsay Panzak
Katie Osgard
Joy Dixon
Casey Fields
Alison Hill
Ritchie Toussaint
Emily Wamseley
Jessica Octavia
Becky Del Toro
Andrea Swift
Amanda "Six Two"
Liz Frostenson
Kayleen Boyd
Amanda Conforti
Jackie Lahey
QuQui Patrick
Kayleen Boyd
Rob Colomina (alumni coaching staff)

Roz Chou is handling the event, so please drop her a line if you can make it! Also, we will be selling t-shirts with this design for sale at the event... $20 each with proceeds going to the team. Let Ros know your sizes! rosalind.chou@gmail.com
Here's a flyer on the event and another flyer with events and directions!

3.9.10 - With the reunion just around the corner, this update came in from Alum Devon Myers:
"I can't believe it's been almost 30 years since I wandered out to the intramural fields my freshman year and spotted a bunch of people tossing a rugby ball around, playing some kind of nutty game of tag. Kathy Flores jogged over and told me they were playing 'Silly Bugger' and that I should join them at practice sometime. I did, and loved it, playing for 2 years before 'retiring' to play basketball for the Lady Noles for a year. I met some great people, some I still see regularly here in TLH, and built some great memories. My biggest contribution to FSU Rugby had to be getting Colleen Fahey out there to play ­ because it certainly wasn't MY playing prowess;-}~
I've stayed around Tallahassee all these years and now live as a 'Country Gentlewoman' on the North end with Martha (my partner of 10 years), our 2 dogs and 3 cats. After graduation I taught and coached for 5 years before embarking on a new career in the computer software industry, and here I am 19 years later at the same great company ­ ADERANT. My current job as a Senior Business Consultant involves LOTS of travel to cool places across the US and Internationally - Auckland, Calgary, NYC, Chicago, Minneapolis, San Fran, Winnipeg - and too many others to list. I get to meet new people, stay in great hotels, dine in great restaurants and sometimes even fly first class ­ all on someone else's dime.
I'm looking forward to seeing some familiar faces at the reunion and meeting some of the youngsters carrying on the winning tradition for FSU. Go Noles!" Contact Devon at: devon.myers@aderant.com

3.4.10 - Alum Sherri Kalman checked in with us after a long time... "Everything i have learned from rugby and the friendships there have been my foundation guiding my whole life. Thank You All for your gift! peace, love and joy, kalman"

Great to get back in touch with one of old rugby soul-mates! Drop Kalman a note here: thunderbow777@hotmail.com

2.15.10 - This just in from Alum Linda Gomez: "I graduated from FSU in 84 and played one season in 83. Although I could not continue to play, I always remembered how fun it was. I still remember the game that I was running- ready to score and a UF player literally picked me up and threw me on the ground. It was so cool." Fond memories! Catch up with Linda at chief141391@aol.com

2.1.10 - FSU Alum Claire Godwin checked in to announce that she's got a son! Drop Claire a line at cgodwin@intlcat.com. Nice to be back in touch with our awesome flanker extraordinaire! We hope all you alums out there are planning on attending this April's all year reunion! Click here for a flyer with more information. See you soon!

1.25.10 - Several FSU alums were in attendance at the US National Team's recent home match against Canada. Lakeland Florida was the host town for the "Atlantic Cup" in which the US Eagles, coached by FSU Alum Kathy Flores and assistant coach Candi Orsini, took on Canada's National Team in two premier matches. Vicki Bowlin, Christine Gigicos, Jan Auger, Lori Light and Colleen Fahey were present as the Women Eagles held on to win Saturday's match 11-10 in a nail-biter. The US was 1-1 in the set and is looking forward to the upcoming World Cup beginning this August.

1.3.10 - Sad news to report from alum Robin Pace. "Most of you who know me know my parents. I love them so much. My Dad was diagnosed with leukemia over Thanksgiving and passed away on Dec. 18th at 1:30 am. Thankfully my Mom was there to hold his hand and see his last breath. Brett and I couldn't get her to leave. The Memorial Service was so amazing! So many people there and so many stood up to speak. My brother, Brett, and I wanted to speak but didn't know if we could. He made me go first since I'm the oldest. I read a letter to my Dad that I wrote to him when he first got sick. Thankfully I mailed it to him ...in September, so he read it before he died. I just wanted him to hear it one more time..... now helping Mom clean out some of Dad's clothes, she is being brave. Been running and lifting to stay sane. Still so surreal. Happy New Year!!!" Contact Robin at: drpace421@gmail.com

Rosalind Chou tries to make a tackle on Casey Fields.

11.30.09 - This just in from Alum Rosalind Chou, "I just wanted to take some time to brag about a Florida State Women's rugby alum that is carrying on the tradition of excellence in both 7s and 15s. I feel it necessary to share these accomplishments with everyone because she wouldn't do it herself.

This summer I literally ran into Casey Fields at Pitch-a-Tent 7s outside of Chattanooga, TN. My Austin team lost to the combined Florida squad, GASH, in the semi-finals and I was lucky enough to join GASH in the final, helping to wrestle the tiny championship cup away from the perennial champions, The Atlanta Harlequins, for the first time ever. There were a number of other FSU alums present as well, including Lori Light, Allison Hill, 6'2", and Manders. I apologize if I have forgotten or was unaware of any other FSU players that were there.

Then Casey's 7s team, the San Diego Surfers, competed at the National Club 7s tournament in San Francisco in mid-August. I was also in attendance, and witnessed her team take home 3rd in the nation. Additionally, Casey got a tournament MVP vote from one of the coaches.

As the 15s season kicked in, my team qualified for the playoffs in Boston at the end of October. We finished 2nd in our region which put us on track to play San Diego, who finished first in their region, in the quarterfinals. Casey's team was strong, players 1-15, and they rightfully earned their way into the Final Four. The Division I National Championship was in early November, on San Francisco's Treasure Island. Casey's team defeated Atlanta in the semi-finals, and soundly defeated NOVA in the championship. In the final, Casey had one of the two tries for her team, a cherry pick taken 60 meters down the field for a try. Casey is representing Florida State rugby well!

I look forward to the reunion in April. I just recently saw alum Andrea Swift in Eugene, OR. I hadn't seen her since I graduated 10 years ago and she's excited about the alumni rugby match even if she hasn't touched a ball in a decade. It's going to be a great time and I can't wait to be back in Tallahassee with all these great ruggers!"

- Rosalind