Selection of Allegheny all-stars honored at season-end banquet /// Photo courtesy ARU •
Most rugby teams hold season-end celebrations, but the Allegheny Rugby Union (ARU) wanted to foster a greater sense of community among its women’s collegiate teams. On December 9, the union held its first-ever banquet for all of its women’s DII and NSCRO teams, and highlighted an ARU All-Conference XV and Coach of the Year.
“This banquet was important to the union for a few reasons,” explained ARU secretary and Robert Morris coach Angela Smarto. “One, because it was a suggestion at our AGM by one of our coaches, so putting on something that wasn’t our idea shows that we as a board value their opinion and like to put their ideas in action.”
ARU Collegiate Director Kiyomi Knox served as the evening’s master of ceremonies, a fitting role for the woman who has spent the last two-and-a-half years organizing the conference and providing opportunities for advancement. The highlight of the evening was the All-Conference XV introductions. The membership voted for the nominees, and each of the 11 teams are represented on the honorary side. Additionally, ARU NSCRO title-winner Allegheny College saw coach Brandy Kaputa named Coach of the Year.
“[Most of the teams in our conference get limited resources, if any, from their university to cover the cost of their season,” Smarto explained additional implications. “We have a vast majority of volunteer coaches and less than 5% of players in the union played rugby in high school. So if a team can go back to their club sports office and say, ‘Hey, we have a conference all-star,’ it legitimizes the sport and the league to the university without having to explain the entire sport and its competitive structure. Hopefully this can get the teams some recognition from their universities and additional support for clubs to help them grow.”
Congrats to the players and coaches for their standout seasons:
ARU ALL-CONFERENCE XVZafirah Abdulrahoof – Allegheny CollegeErica Long – California University of PennsylvaniaJulie Temple – Clarion UniversityChloe Correia – Clarion UniversityStephanie Lambert – Fairmont StateAnna Pitaliangas – Gannon UniversityBrooke Knisley – Grove City CollegeKatie Baldwin – Grove City CollegeErin Donaldson – Indiana University of PennsylvaniaDestiny Smith – Robert Morris UniversityDeeDee Bentley – Robert Morris UniversityLindsey Jeffrees – Slippery Rock UniversityCleo Helton – St. Vincent CollegeChloe Lauchbaum – West Virginia UniversityErika Ridgeway – West Virginia University
ARU Coach of the Year: Brandy Kaputa of Allegheny College
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