FSUWRFC Alumni Connection

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
7pm - 11pm: Opening Reception
Hobbit Hoagies American Grill
2020 West Pensacola Street, Tallahassee, FL 32304-3186
(850) 576-1009

Saturday, April 10, 2010
10:30am - 12:30pm: Optional Brunch
Jim and Milt's
1923 West Pensacola Street, Tallahassee, FL 32304-3228
(850) 576-3998

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

UPDATED!! NEW LOCATION!
4:30pm - until: Post-Match Social - We will have a keg, slideshow, and some words from Kathy and Candi.
Miller's Ale House
722 Apalachee Parkway
Tallahassee, FL
(850) 222-0364

Sunday, April 11, 2010
10:30am ­ 12:30pm: Closing Brunch
Po' Boys ­ Downtown Location
224 East College Avenue, Tallahassee, FL (850) 224-5400

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 after a loooonng time... here's her fascinating update!
"I would like nothing better than to play an ol'girls game. Maybe in another few years. As far as background, I've been here since '93 other than a few years of spiritual journeys. I had spent a number of years studying traditional and non traditional native pathways. I've enjoyed being able to become a sundancer, the closest thing to rugby..... Dancing in the desert for four days and nights sure gives you a different perspective. I also became involved with this prayer vigil for peace in washington, dc for a while and also made things for this group of 13 grandmothers to sell in supporting their cause of peace,friendship and uniting all peoples. I also apprenticed in The Wittenburg Center (no longer there) in upstate NY right next to woodstock. They did alot of work with the native elders and prepared the way to have the elders connect with the united nations. I think the original members are now part of the United Religions Initiative. I was just a helper at the center and tender of gardens. They offered school for reverendship and i thought i might go that route. My beloved friend, Sophie Mae passed over and i was missing new mexico and came back home. I was never one for papers anyway. On the way home i found my mom was ill and went to mississippi to help. After she crossed over i then i gathered some friends and others and we drummed and danced joy into the new millennium."

"Back in n.m., i got a steady painting job and settled down for a while until one of my dance sisters needed some help and i was out in the southern california desert by joshua tree for six months. They also did dances out there, sweat lodges, and women's groups.

After returning to n.m. again in aug 03, i hurt my back and have been through a journey in and of itself since. I live in this little trailer by the air force base. I thank Susie Rosen for all those "just one more" sprints. It has carried me through this time. I had laser back surgery in tampa last year or two, time has escaped me. I wish i would have thought of the computer to check in with everyone. Now i just need hip surgery and hopefully i can enjoy life once again, hiking in the beautiful mountains here and sundancing again. In the meantime, i am working on a new future profession. I wrap stones for jewelry as well as beadwork i am selling through a friend in fla, interestingly enough.

Sorry to hear about Hornsby, now she is a gem in the spirit world and probably keeping the angels and guides cracked up...

Now that i have shared my adventures i hope to hear from you all my old friends who each were a part of who i am today. 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: drpace12@charter.net

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