I’ve been a legal resident of the Town of Alfred for 69+ consecutive years.
I was born and raised, worked, lived, farmed, played and coached
collegiate rugby on Jericho Hill, for parts of seven (7) different decades.
I’ve bathed in its sun, shoveled its snow and stared at its stars,
I’ve felt its warm comfortable breeze gently caress my face and
I’ve felt its wickedly frigid cousin, the cruel, howling wind of winter.
I spent my first ten years (1955-1965) on our Jericho Hill family farm homestead. Two hundred twenty-five (225) acres. It was located in the Town of Alfred, on both sides of Allegany County Route 12 (Jericho Hill road) to the south of the Kenyon Road intersection. The farm land stretched across to Foster Lake Road with 3000 feet of Lake Road frontage, contiguous to what is now known as the Alfred University (AU) Equestrian Center. An old vertical gas pipe on the east side of Lake Road, north of the equestrian property, still exists marking the boundary between the old farm and the land formerly owned by the Foster family, which was donated to AU by the Foster Estate, now used for AU equestrian.
https://www.billpulos.com/my-time-with-don-heers/
My dad planted thousands of evergreen trees on the farm lining Lake Road. Many remain.
65 years ago, in 1960, the Alfred-Almond Central School bus picked me up at the Kenyon Road – Jericho Hill intersection, contiguous to AU’s current playing fields. At ten years old, I rode my bike down Jericho Hill standing on one pedal, using my other foot as the brake. No helmet. No falls.
Back then, the infamous Jericho Hill road would close for day or two at a time because of preposterous snow falls. The town plows could not get through. Those were real snow days.
My dad started his beef and white horse farm on the two hundred twenty-five acres in 1952, having purchased from the Cornelius family.1 I spent thirty-five years living and working on my dad’s farms; both on Jericho Hill and at yet a higher elevation of 2305 FASL on McAndrews Road, bordering the Kent farms in the Town of Alfred. Farm work on top of Jericho Hill was the only real job I had until finishing law school. The farm taught me how to get my hands dirty.
I walked, rode and drove the Jericho Hill lands; fertilized its fields, fixed fence and baled hay starting early on, continued during the University’s (later) ownership through the late 1970’s, and returned in 1985 to begin again. The soil at those elevations is primarily clay and “Volusia” which is an extremely polite way of saying “poor drainage.” The shale and the rock is not far beneath the surface.
Once the digging starts, it is found quickly, in abundance. I drove my first car, truck and tractor on Jericho Hill, beginning at age eight. Jericho Hill taught me the treachery of being stuck in the snow, stuck in the mud and the reality of brutal car crashes in all four seasons. It will teach others.
In 1965 my parents sold our farm to Alfred University and retained a right of first refusal. We moved two doors down to what we knew then as the “Churchill house,” a ranch house near the fields on the opposite side of the road. It’s where I spent the next eight years, commuting to my dad’s farms. Walking, running, riding and driving on Jericho Hill, on and off-road. Trucks, tractors, cars, bikes.
Alfred University purchased its current playing field locations from Gerald and Louise Baker, Todd Baker’s grandparents, circa 1968. I was thirteen. Edward LeBohner was the University Treasurer at the time. The swimming pool (natatorium) in McLane Center on the AU campus is named in his honor. I was told it was his dream to construct an athletic complex on top of Jericho Hill. The front (soccer) field and a cinder track with infield were built, as was the field in back which had stadium lighting. You could still find the cinder track in 2024 with a shovel. I used to ride my mini-bike on it.
Back then, the AU soccer players were required to run up Jericho Hill from the village to practice on the front field. It wasn’t fun for them. The field had extraordinarily poor drainage from the start. The soccer ball sometimes made a “rooster tail” when it hydroplaned across standing water on the field. I saw it. The Alfred University football team practiced under the lights on the field out back. My brother and I caught field goal attempts at night in the mist, dew and fog during the football pre-season.
Mr. Lebohner’s enthusiasm for the Jericho Hill sports complex never panned into strong fan support for the athletic teams. Fifty-five years ago, the weather on Jericho Hill was very tough, tougher than it is now, and it is not for the faint of heart. Fan attendance never gained traction. Traversing the hill was a real barrier for fans. The hoped-for sports complex never materialized into long-term success.
My dad was a professor at Alfred University for thirty-six years, 1949-1985. My mom was an adjunct instructor at AU for about twenty years. I taught law at Alfred University for eighteen consecutive semesters 1981-1990. Uniquely in AU history, the three of us simultaneously held AU teaching positions for four years. I quickly became an advisor to the Delta Sigma Phi fraternity, the co-founding members of AU men’s rugby, and then at the urgent request of AU President Edward Coll, became a member of Delta Sig’s alumni control board, assisting with the fraternity’s management.2
I was concurrently the Town of Alfred attorney for 18 years, 1982-2000. In the early 1990’s, after I stepped down from the fraternity, after retiring from teaching and after stepping away from coaching rugby for the first time, Alfred University sued the Town of Alfred by starting three separate lawsuits that impacted budgets of the Town, the Village, Alfred-Almond Central School and Allegany County itself. The University contested the government’s taxation of the Saxon Inn hotel, whose accommodations have been open to the public from the start. I was the lawyer that defended the Town of Alfred in all of the lawsuits heard in New York State Supreme Court. There were not many in our area whose lives were not touched in some manner by the lawsuits, its litigation and its publicity. It was tricky business. The matter was resolved when AU ultimately agreed to a PILOT program.3
I wrote the Town of Alfred noise law in the 1980’s and co-authored the Town of Alfred Zoning law, circa 1990. Both were considered in the Town of Alfred’s review and approval process of AU’s proposed Jericho Hill sports complex in December, 2023.
In 1985, my dad and I (re-)purchased our family farm from Alfred University. The University had used the farm as a dumping ground for twenty years, accessing the (now grown-over) driveway across from the playing fields. My dad died in 1995 and I sold the farm in 1998. I believe Gerry and Louise Baker’s grandson Todd Baker later bought a part of our former farm and I believe his purchase extended the Baker property border out to Foster Lake Road. I’m told Alfred University recently paid Todd Baker Six Hundred Seventy Thousand Dollars ($670,000.00) for what remained of his grandparent’s farm, a portion of which is contiguous to AU’s playing fields on the east side of Jericho Hill road. As such, I believe the portion of our family farm that was purchased by Todd Baker, is now owned by Alfred University as part of their purchase from him.
Perhaps not coincidentally in the fall of 1985, the AU men’s rugby club was born. Thirty years after my birth, our family once again owned the farm atop of Jericho Hill and once again I found myself playing on the fields across the road. I am the rugby club’s co-founder, along with Ty Fobare, his Delta Sigma Phi fraternity brothers and the other courageous charter members. I am the club’s first coach. 4
At first, Alfred University’s athletic department did not recognize the rugby club and denied the club any practice space on campus. The club’s first practices were held on my dad’s McAndrews Road hayfield at 2305 FASL. My dad quickly realized the liability exposure that came with the rugby club practicing on our McAndrews Road family farm. Not coincidentally, and shortly after, AU quickly allowed the club to begin practicing and playing on the Jericho Hill cinder track infield and the back field, both built during the LeBohner days. Fall and spring, in all types of weather. Suffice to say, some nice weather in September, then wind, rain, ice, snow and mud. Eventually, all of the AU varsity teams abandoned the front field, so its use fell by default to the men’s rugby club.
At the beginning, many thought the rugby club was a passing fancy, at best, and would fail quickly.
I coached the men’s club’s first game of “15’s” in 1985 and the club’s last 15’s game in 2019. There were many challenges to starting, recruiting, coaching and administrating men’s rugby on Jericho Hill; the position came with significant liability exposure. The potential for accidents and injuries was ever-present. Coaching rugby at AU came with big risks for me, on several levels, particularly as Alfred University denied its club coaches the protection of its umbrella insurance, in writing. Ironically, according to an Alfred U. trustee, no one gave (liability) a thought during those times, except me.5
Coaching rugby on Jericho Hill under those circumstances was a righteously perilous business.
I spent 19 seasons, over three separate tenures and parts of four decades, with AU men’s rugby on Jericho Hill as a lawyer, professor, player, author, administrator and coach. I coached more intercollegiate seasons on Jericho Hill than anyone in the history of Alfred University sports.
I donated Alfred University four thousand, five hundred+ (4500+) legacy leadership hours of pro bono service to rugby and the Delta Sig fraternity, with no pay, no insurance coverage and no benefits, and was happy to do it.
Let it be known, the men’s rugby club, in a class by itself, did something no other Alfred University sports team has done, or will ever do, in the very difficult Jericho Hill environment. No kits, no locker rooms, no trainers and no transport. Over 35 years and 70 consecutive seasons of good standing on the Alfred University campus, the rugby club won more intercollegiate games, with the least amount of money, equipment and resources, than any team in AU history.
It’s likely that accomplishment will never be surpassed.
https://www.billpulos.com/category/alfred-university-rugby/
In 2017, it was a student that told me of AU’s plans to build an athletic complex on Jericho Hill.
The early renderings of the project were entitled “Alfred University Jericho Hill.”
Five years later in April, 2022, twelve years after collaborating with AU’s Director of Student Affairs in 2010 to create a rugby student retention program at AU, I prepared an outline for student recruitment and retention that was delivered to several Alfred University personnel, outlining the steps to create a competitive men’s varsity rugby program, highlighting student recruitment and retention. 6
Seven months later in November, 2022, AU announced the formation of a varsity women’s rugby team, whose raison d’etre was reported to be student recruitment and retention.7 Their plan seems to follow, in large measure, the above-referenced outline. Six months later in May of 2023, AU hired a Director of Rugby/women’s varsity rugby coach. 8 Then, for the first time since beginning the project in 2017, and fifteen months after announcing a women’s varsity team, on February 20, 2024 AU announced that a varsity men’s rugby team program would begin once the projected complex is complete.9 Recently, a men’s varsity rugby coach was hired. 10 All with the stated goal of recruiting and retaining 130-170 new students, presumably to pay for the project and help with AU’s bottom line.11
Fifty-five years after beginning the sports complex, AU announced a thirty-million dollar ($30,000,000.00) plan to return, renovate and rejuvenate the front, middle and back fields of Jericho Hill by renaming it “Saxon Hill” to support men’s varsity rugby, women’s varsity rugby, men’s varsity baseball and other sports. It was recently reported Alfred University has turned to government financial backing with a plan for the Allegany County taxpayers to guarantee a loan of up to Twenty Million Dollars ($20,000,000.00) to Alfred University @ at an estimated ~ 2 – 5% amortized interest rate which, if taken to term over fifteen years, together with maintenance for, and transportation to the complex, will likely push the overall cost of the project closer to Forty Million Dollars+ ($40,000,000.00+).12
History will record that the pioneering men’s rugby program and its trailblazing 35-year record created the legacy leading to the creation of the AU men’s and women’s varsity rugby programs, and provided the momentum to support construction of the Jericho Hill sports complex, which apparently and reportedly is intended to continue, and enhance, Alfred University’s existence.
The Jericho Hill terrain and topography, soil, weather, traffic and environment are extremely unforgiving, even in today’s climate. These and other obstacles will challenge this ambitious complex construction and operation. I have faced all of them. The shale and rock have already been found by the excavating contractors. Conquering the rocks, installing state-of-the-art drainage and constructing a long-term, sustainable, functional complex will require extraordinary measures.
For example, in the late 1960’s or early ‘70’s, a local family drilled (what I remember as) a natural gas well to service their property. Unfortunately, the drilling tapped the entire neighborhood’s underground aquifer. Many families on Jericho Hill lost their water well supply, including our family. It is anticipated that AU’s sports complex will require significant water usage to service the three projected playing fields, their support space, maintenance and spectators.
Sixty five years ago, a passing car on Jericho Hill collided with my dad on his farm tractor right across from the playing fields. History repeated itself in 2010 when one of the Alfred rugby players was involved in a two-car, head-on collision at nearly the same location.
The Jericho Hill danger dances and lurks; it is always there.
By virtue of water requirements to support the complex, its teams, staff, official and team rooms, the site’s poor drainage, its inevitable maintenance requirements, the inclement weather, elevation and the ever-present roadway concerns, Alfred University may find its Jericho Hill project, as promoted to the Town government, and now guaranteed by the public treasury, to be more difficult and expensive to complete and utilize than envisioned. I believe Mr. LeBohner learned that a long time ago.
Most of the folks that lived on Jericho Hill from my youth are gone. Earl and Joyce Leon, Dr. Roger and Jo Rawe, Professor Walt and Millie Schogeleff, Professor Earl and Ginny Stopfel, Professor Bob and Janet Love, Professor E.J. and Marion Brown, Dr. and Mrs. Malcolm MacIntosh, Gerry and Louise Baker, Professor and Mrs. Ted Randall, Mr. and Mrs. Shepherd, Professors Fred and Elinor Gertz, Instructor Dick and Betty Burdick, Shirley Wurz, Professor and Mrs. Greene, (Town Highway Supt.) Charles and Ollene (Kenyon) Smith, Dr. and Mrs. George Towe, Dr. and Mrs. Robert Wood.
Sixty-nine+ years later, the memories of those families live on. Their families and many of the “newbies” that came after them to Jericho Hill are gone as well. Members of the Kent and Snyder farm families, and I, remain.
Jericho Hill and its fields are the hallowed grounds of the Alfred University Men’s Rugby Club. It is also my former neighborhood and my home. It is a special place and it is in my blood. The place where I embraced the warm blessings of great beauty, joy and exhilaration.
Where the ghosts of the past talk to me.
As no one at Alfred University can personally attest to this first hand history of Jericho Hill, and with gratitude for this transcendent opportunity, an earlier version of this narrative was submitted for inclusion with the archived materials on file in the Herrick Memorial Library at AU linking:
Alfred University with the Pulos family,
The History of the Saxon Inn Litigation,
The History of Alfred University Rugby and
The History of the Saxon Hill Sports Complex.
It is hoped the entire Alfred University sports complex project works out as proposed; equitably and beneficially, for everyone concerned, including Alfred University, its Jericho Hill neighbors and our entire community.
But all should best beware, Jericho Hill can be a harsh, unforgiving lover.
© William W. Pulos April 19, 2025 – It represents the experience, observations and opinions of the author.
No reproduction or dissemination without advanced, written permission.
My father was on the Alfred University teaching staff for 36 years, Retiring as professor emeritus, and my mom ~ 20 years. Both of them wanted a good life for my brother and me. The rural life on Jericho Hill and living in a college community was a big part of it.
My mom, my brother’s deceased wife, my law partner Timothy Rosell and I all hold Alfred University degrees. My brother, my former wife and Mrs. Rosell each hold two AU degrees. Mr. and Mrs. Rosell were students of mine at AU. With the exception of my mom, I attended all their graduations. My mother played the music honoring comedian Robert Klein at my brother’s 1979 AU graduation. With the exception of my mom and my brother, I was teaching law at AU when they all graduated and attended those graduations wearing my faculty regalia. My dad, mom and I all held teaching positions at Alfred University at the same time. Father, Mother and Son. In Alfred University history, few families, if any, can claim that. Our family history with AU is long and deep and goes far beyond the Jericho Hill rugby fields.
The History of the Saxon Inn Litigation is on file in the Alfred University Library
What was not reported in the media, is that in 1993, after three years of litigation and three lawsuits, as an Alfred University alumnus, a former AU teacher, student advisor and coach, I was the lawyer and lead negotiator for the settlement resolving all the litigation, which saved Alfred University the exposure to a minimum of $500,000.00 in further damaging publicity, opportunities lost and higher taxes.
ALFRED UNIVERSITY RUGBY CLUB – COACH BILL PULOS B.A. Alfred University ‘77, J.D. Union University, Albany Law School ‘80
Lawyer, Player, Professor, Author, Co-Founder and Coach of Alfred University rugby
Co-founder and Coach–1985-1990, 2009-2012, 2017-2019 – 19 seasons 100+ wins – pro bono Coached AU in the Can-Am Rugby Tournament in Saranac Lake, NY 1987 and 1988 Coached AU in the 2nd and 3rd Albany Law Watkins Tourney in Albany, NY 1988- 1989 Coached AU to the Upstate Rugby Union (URU) Final Four of All Divisions – 1989 Coached 4 URU All-Stars and 1 URU Academic All-Star Co-coached 2017 NYS DIII (NSCRO) State Champions – ranked # 18 in the USA Coached 3 DIII All-America candidates Albany Law Rugby 2024 Blue Jackets Charter Class – https://www.albanylaw.edu/bluejackets
Author:
STARTING A RUGBY CLUB AT A SMALL COLLEGE – 1990 published in Rugby magazine THE HISTORY OF ALFRED RUGBY – 2014 – www.billpulos.com
Co-Founder of the Alfred University rugby team. The team’s 1st coach for 10 seasons beginning at age 30 in 1985, while simultaneously serving an 18-consecutive semester teaching career, retiring as Alfred University Adjunct Professor of Law. Upstate Rugby Union College Coordinator responsible for administrating collegiate conduct policy. Integrated Alfred State College players in 1987 and put Alfred University on the NYS and USA rugby map. Returned to coach for 6 seasons 2009-2012, New York Rugby Conference Board Secretary responsible for records, meetings and correspondence, reconstructed the team from conference financial suspension and bankruptcy. Returned the team to the NYRC playoffs in 3 semesters while outpacing every team on both Alfred campuses with 600 man-hours of public service. Returned to Co-coach 2017-2019 for 3 more seasons. Coached the 2017 NYS Small College Undefeated Champions to the #18 USA Div III national ranking. Honored with the NYS Senate Resolution sponsored by NYS Senator Catherine Young in 2017. USA Rugby certified Double-Goal coach, coached 3 national Div III All-America caliber players. Seventy (70) consecutive semesters of Good Standing at Alfred University beginning 1985. Coached the club in its first game in 1985 and coached the club in its last game in 2019. Coached more intercollegiate seasons of sports play on Jericho Hill than anyone in the history of Alfred University Sports. Alfred University Rugby owns the most intercollegiate varsity-level wins involving 500-600 Alfred alumni for the least amount of money spent in University history. Per AU President Dr. Mark Zupan (2018), the N.Y. Senate Proclamation honoring the club was the 1st for any Alfred University sports program. wpulos@stny.rr.com • www.billpulos.com • https://www.youtube.com/@billpulos
ALFRED RUGBY ALUMNI FACEBOOK MARCH 18, 2024 Top of Form AU Trustee Mike Carey Going to jump in here…, because – while I am tremendously excited for the investment in the facilities and the benefits of men’s rugby being a varsity sport … this was an administration decision and neither she (Bernsen) nor I were involved. Aside from the legal liabilities of a joint team as mentioned above (which probably existed in the past but everyone ignored), AU has been trying for years to engage ASC in support of the program to no avail. So, given the substantial monetary investment by AU and the recruiting opportunities it brings for prospective AU student-athletes, a call had to be made in the best interest of longevity and stability… I think it’ll be important for both teams to understand the legacy of rugby in the town….
RECONSTITUTION TEMPLATE FOR THE ALFRED UNIVERSITY RUGBY TEAM
- Board of Trustees policy establishing varsity rugby as a continuing goal for Alfred University*
- Written Presidential directive to the University community implementing the rugby program*
- Written Athletic Dept. policy allowing/encouraging varsity athletes to cross-over to rugby and requiring full rugby team access to the Athletic trainers, training room and classroom space with video*
- Varsity program similar to Paul Smith’s and St. Bonaventure:
https://paulsmithsbobcats.com/sports/mrugby/index
https://gobonnies.com/sports/mens-rugby/schedule/2021-22
Written coaching and recruiting contract with minimum of $40,000.00 salary plus benefits for 12 weeks of coaching. Rugby 15 in the fall, spring Rugby 7’s together with high school, Alfred State College and foreign-born player recruiting. As first seen in 1990, the integration of Alfred State players again appears essential for team formation. Alfred State players have exercised their Constitutional freedom of association in the past and should be free to join. Full Alfred University insurance and indemnification coverage from any lawsuits or damages. Charter buses for the team plus meal expense for every away game. Uniform and kit gear budget. Re-made Jericho Hill fields for drainage and turf with unlimited fieldhouse use and unlimited access to both fields. Access to Merrill Field for select fall games and spring 7’s. Tools and support for WNY spring recruiting trips with travel expense reimbursement, promoting a legitimate school sponsored rugby program which can be relied upon by recruits and their families with continual AU outreach to ASC. Estimated annual budget: (3) annual student tuition payments ~ 100k. Respectfully submitted by Bill Pulos © April 12, 2022 B.A. Economics, magna cum laude Alfred University 1977 – J.D. Union University at Albany Law School 1980 Alfred University Adjunct Professor of Law 1981-1990 – Alfred State College Professor of Law 1982-1984 Author – “Starting a Rugby Team at a Small College” – 1990 and “The History of Alfred Rugby” – 2014 Player, Professor, Co-Founder, Coach and Administrator, pro bono
ALFRED UNIVERSITY RUGBY TEAM – 100+ wins 1985–1990, 2009–2012, 2017-2019 – 19 seasons 1989 Upstate Rugby Union DIV I Final Four 2017 NYS Small College Champs – # 18 USA DIV III
Co-Founder of the Alfred University rugby team. The team’s 1st coach at age 30 in 1985 simultaneously serving an 18-consecutive semester teaching career, retiring as AU Adjunct Professor of Law. Upstate Rugby Union College Coordinator, coached 4 URU All-Stars and URU Academic All-Star. Integrated Alfred State College players in 1987, 500-600 Alfred Rugby alumni, put AU on the NYS and USA rugby map. Returned in 2009-2012, New York Rugby Conference Board Secretary, reconstructed the team from conference financial suspension and bankruptcy, returned the team to the NYRC playoffs in 3 semesters while outpacing every sport and team on both campuses with 600 man-hours of public service. Returned 2017-2019. Coached the 2017 NYS Small College Undefeated Champions to the #18 USA Div III ranking, further honored with the NYS Senate Resolution sponsored by NYS Senator Catherine Young. USA Rugby certified Double-Goal coach, coached 3 national Div III All-America caliber players. Alfred University Rugby owns the most intercollegiate wins for the least amount of money spent in University history. Per Dr. Mark Zupan, the N.Y. Senate Proclamation was the 1st for any Alfred University sports program. ©William W. Pulos – Attorney and Counsellor at Law e-mail – wpulos@stny.rr.com P.O. Box 333 Alfred Station, N.Y. 14803 607.247.5015-h 607-324-7333-o https://www.martindale.com/hornell/new-york/william-whitaker-pulos-425535-a/peer-reviews/ https://www.avvo.com/attorneys/14843-ny-william-pulos-842612.html https://www.billpulos.com/ https://www.pulosandrosell.com *Written policies are required to insure the team’s long-term vitality and continuity as administrators and benefactors will change.
Alfred University News November 30, 2022
Alfred University to field new varsity women’s rugby squad
Alfred University announced plans to field a women’s rugby team to begin competition in the 2023-24 season. The team will join the University’s existing 22 athletic programs including 17 NCAA Division III sports. Alfred University continues its mission to provide students with important opportunities to participate in athletics at the varsity, club and intramural levels. Interested parties can learn more and request details here. “We are thrilled to offer varsity women’s rugby within our intercollegiate athletics department, which complements our men’s rugby club program,” said Mark A. Zupan, president of Alfred University. “As a proud member of NCAA Division III, we know that our student-athletes are some of the highest academically performing students on our campus, while also serving as outstanding ambassadors in the community. Expecting many more student-athletes on campus, rugby will contribute to our enrollment goals and add to the vibrancy of the campus experience for our students and alumni as we cheer on the Saxons.” 450 student-athletes currently comprise the club and varsity sports rosters at Alfred University. For full athletics information, please visit gosaxons.com. “It has been an exciting time for us to plan the development of a women’s rugby program,” said Paul Vecchio, Assistant Vice President for Athletics, who oversees all varsity and club sports. “We also plan to bring other programs online soon, which will likely include archery, disc golf, bowling, spirit/dance teams, and e-sports.” Men’s and women’s rugby is a growing sport in the Western New York region. To start, the Saxons will compete with peer institutions in the northeast region. This announcement represents the first new program added at Alfred since starting cheerleading in 2018. “To echo what others have said, this really is about opportunity,” Zupan said. “Alfred University’s mission is grounded in providing special opportunities to students in all forms. Adding women’s rugby alongside our strong men’s club rugby program will serve a diverse population of student-athletes to continue to compete in the sports they love while pursuing their education. I could not be more excited with the growth and energy among our department, coaching staff, and student-athletes.” A national search is underway for the first women’s rugby coach. More than 2,500 rugby union clubs exist around the country, including those that are part of college rugby. It is estimated that by 2026, 40 percent of the total number of rugby players will be female with nearly 90 million players worldwide (source: USA Rugby).
Women’s Rugby 5/19/2023 3:03:00 PM
Dr. Nicole Bernsen Appointed as Director of Rugby & Women’s Rugby Head Coach
ALFRED, NY – Deb Steward, the Associate Vice President for Student Experience, Athletics and Recreation, has announced the appointment of Dr. Nicole Bernsen as the Director of Rugby and Women’s Rugby Head Coach at Alfred University. “I am excited for the future of women’s and men’s rugby with Nicole in this leadership role,” Steward said. “Her passion and commitment to rugby are impressive. I am confident she will recruit and retain student-athletes while assisting them in finding their academic passion at Alfred University. Her depth of experience will be an asset to our department and University.” For the past three years, Bernsen served as the Associate Director for Athletics Academic Services and Senior Woman Administrator at the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF). While at UAF, Bernsen provided academic support to prospective and current student-athletes across 10 varsity programs, coordinated tutorial services and other learning support, and provided workshops to aid in the improvement of student-athletes’ study habits, academic skills, and personal growth. Bernsen additionally served in a game day administrative role and was the Student Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC) advisor. “I am thrilled to be joining the Saxon Nation as we build on a rich rugby history and usher in a new chapter of success,” Bernsen said. “I want to thank Associate Vice President Steward for entrusting me with this opportunity to grow the rugby family at Alfred University as we elevate our women’s program to varsity status and embark on Saxon Hill Sports Complex. The commitment of President Zupan, Provost Dobie, and Vice President DeKay to enhancing the student experience at AU is inspiring and has fostered an exciting time to be a part of Saxon Athletics!” Prior to her time with the Nanooks, Bernsen spent time as the Education Director for the American Collegiate Rugby Association in Dover, Delaware where she implemented and directed educational professional development initiatives. Bernsen additionally served as chair of the education committee, was a supervisor for player, coach, and referee education coordinators, and was an Executive Board voting member. In 2020, Bernsen served as the rugby select side assistant coach at the Pacific Northwest Rugby Football Union in Seattle, Washington. Besides coaching, she coordinated selection and training camps, managed player data, and was responsible for fostering events that created opportunities for regional athletes to compete at a higher level and to be evaluated by national team coaches. Bernsen was the head rugby coach for the University of Maine from January of 2017 to May of 2020. Under her leadership, UMaine qualified for the postseason each year. She established competition in sevens rugby as well as initiated the team’s strength and conditioning program. Bernsen coached six Academic All-Americans while leading the team to a Division II Women’s Collegiate Ranking of ninth in fifteens and third in sevens rugby. Her team won the New England Continental Bowl in the Fall of 2017. Prior to the University of Maine, Bernsen spent a year at the University of Mexico as a rugby assistant coach, served as the U-19 and U-17 Red Hawks Select Side Rugby Coach in Portland, Oregon, and was a rugby coach at Newberg High School (OR).
Men’s Rugby 2/20/2024 5:42:00 PM
Alfred University to Move Men’s Rugby Club Under Athletics Department
ALFRED, NY – Alfred University released plans to transition the men’s rugby club to a varsity program under the Athletics Department, as announced by Associate Vice President for Student Experience, Athletics, and Recreation Deb Steward. Previously, the sport club was organized through the Student Experience unit. Alfred University’s mission is to help students realize their purpose. This is accomplished through impactful and distinctive curricular and co-curricular intersections, mentorship and inclusivity. “It is an exciting time for Alfred University Athletics with the growth of our intercollegiate sports offerings in concert with the Saxon Hill Sports Complex project,” Steward said. “With the leadership of Dr. Nicole Bernsen, Director of Rugby/Head Women’s Rugby Coach, we have begun building the foundation of our varsity women’s rugby program. With forward momentum, we are now ready to move our long-standing Alfred University men’s rugby club program under our intercollegiate athletics roof. This will allow for comprehensive institutional support, mentorship, and oversight which will position our men’s rugby student-athletes to achieve success on and off the field.” The men’s rugby program will begin formal competition once the rugby field has been successfully constructed at the Saxon Hill Sports Complex. This field will include lights, press box, and grandstands. In addition, the Saxon Sports Center at the Complex will house team rooms, athletic training room, equipment room, and an official’s team room. “The elevation of men’s rugby to a varsity sport at Alfred University is exciting, not only for the current and future players, but also for those who came before us,” Bernsen said. “As a club sport, Alfred Rugby established a strong history and alumni base dating back to 1985. The construction of the Saxon Hill Sports Complex and this move to varsity status will ensure resources are available for the recruitment and retention of high-quality student-athletes and provide investment in training, travel, and coaching as our program grows into one of the premier varsity small college rugby programs in the country.” Prospective students interested in our men’s rugby team can learn more and request details here. A national search will be underway for the first varsity intercollegiate head men’s rugby /assistant women’s rugby coach.
Men’s Rugby 5/7/2024 5:12:00 PM
Russell Named Head Men’s Rugby Coach at Alfred University
ALFRED, NY – Alfred University Athletics announced the appointment of Dale Russell as the Head Men’s Rugby Coach on Tuesday afternoon. “With the Saxon Hill Sports Complex project, we have made a commitment to our men’s and women’s rugby programs and our goals are to grow these programs and compete for conference and national championships,” Associate Vice President for Student Experience, Athletics & Recreation, Deb Steward said. “Dale is a proven winner as a head coach and has served in campus recreation leadership roles. He is an excellent fit for Alfred University and we look forward to his mentorship of our rugby student-athletes.” Russell will also serve as the Assistant Women’s Rugby Coach and play a lead role in our campus intramurals program. “We are excited to bring Dale on to usher in the next generation of rugby players at Alfred,” Director of Rugby and Women’s Rugby Head Coach, Dr. Nicole Bernsen said. “His competitive background and commitment to student-athlete development on and off the pitch will be invaluable in supporting an outstanding student experience and helping students realize their purpose.” Russell comes to Alfred University from the University of Maine, where he recently led his team to the 2024 National Collegiate Rugby Men’s Division II National Championship title. He has worked as the men’s rugby coach since August of 2015 and has a 49-20-1 record to show for it. Russell’s men’s rugby program has qualified for the national tournament for 15’s in 2015, 2016, 2022 and 2023 outside of the champion season of 2024. His program also qualified for nationals in 7’s in 2021 and 2022, finishing in the Top-15 in both seasons. Russell’s work with the program extended beyond the pitch as he worked with the University of Maine Strength & Conditioning department to set up a partnership for both men’s and women’s rugby as both are club sports. He also established an endowment to support the men’s program’s 50th anniversary team. Russell also worked with the women’s rugby team at U. Maine and helped coach them to finish ninth in the nation during his one and a half years with the team. “I am excited to be joining Alfred University and to lead men’s rugby as it transitions to varsity status,” Russell said. “I want to thank Dr. Bernsen and Associate Vice President Steward for this opportunity. I look forward to being part of the growth of AU and the enhancement of the student life on campus.” Concurrently, while working at Maine, Russell coached the National Small College Rugby Organization (NSCRO), now named the National Collegiate Rugby (NCR), North East Collegiate Select team as the Side Forwards Coach. During his two years, he helped lead them to two National Championship Finals and coached eight players to All-American honors. Russell also coached for the New England Rugby Football Union (NERFU) Collegiate Select Side Coach. He was responsible for running the clinic to select the NERFU North Select Side and coached NERFU North to a championship in the Augural Northeast Select-Side Tournament. Prior to his work up north, Russell was in the southern part of the United States, working with the University of West Florida from 2009 until 2015. He began as the men’s rugby Forwards Coach until 2013 and was promoted to Head Coach in 2015. During his tenure, Russell coached the team to their first Battleship Rugby Tournament Championship win, helped bring the team up from a winless season to two undefeated seasons, four Division Championships, three conference championships and one regional championship in just four years. He also held the responsibility of planning and hosting the first and subsequent annual NSCRO South Cup tournament. Russell has also held titles within the rugby world such as NCR Region 1 Small College Director, NERFU College Director and UWF Rugby Team President. Outside of the realm of rugby, he worked in the Sport Clubs & Youth Programs department at the University of Maine, starting as a Coordinator and then the Assistant Director. Russell graduated from the University of West Florida with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in May of 2013 and has a Master of Science in Sports Performance and Coaching.
— Swords Forward Saxons –
October 21, 2023 – Wellsville Sun
Alfred University to construct $30 million sports and recreation complex atop Jericho Hill
The Alfred University Board of Trustees this week unanimously approved a $30 million athletics and recreation facility atop Jericho Hill in the town of Alfred. Construction of the Saxon Hill Sports Complex is expected to begin in the spring of 2024 and be completed by the fall of 2025. Saxon Hill, built on 200 acres of land about three miles south of campus, will expand Alfred University’s intercollegiate athletics offerings, significantly increasing student enrollment and supporting student retention efforts. The project will go out to bid over the winter, with bids being awarded in the spring. Construction will begin soon after and take approximately 16 months to complete. “Alfred University is grateful for the support our Board of Trustees and our generous donors have shown for the Saxon Hill Sports Complex,” said Mark Zupan, University president. “Once completed, this project will enhance our intercollegiate athletics and extracurricular offerings and help us attract and retain students.” Much of the project cost will be supported by philanthropy. Deb Steward, associate vice president for Student Experience, Athletics and Recreation, said the University has met a Board of Trustees requirement of an initial philanthropic investment of $10 million. “We are grateful for the support of our lead donors who have put us over the threshold which allows us to move forward with the project,” Steward said. The architectural firm of Clark, Patterson and Lee (CPL), with architects from their Olean, NY, office, provided design services for the Saxon Hill Sports Complex. Athletics Department staff—including coaches and administrators—had input on project details. Saxon Hill will be located on approximately 200 acres, although only 41 acres (including the currently mowed fields) will be physically disturbed. Once completed, the complex will include:
- Saxon Sports Center: home and visitor locker rooms; athletic training room; offices; assembly space where alumni, parents/families can gather for tailgate functions; restrooms; media room.
- Baseball field: lighted, synthetic turf field with scoreboard; bullpens and dugouts. A two-tier press box will have restrooms, a concession stand, and team room on the first floor; the second floor will include game day operations and public address space, coaches’ offices, and a media/meeting room. The Saxon intercollegiate baseball team will begin play next spring, playing home games at local ballparks until the Saxon Hill field is ready for use for the spring 2026 season.
- Track and field facilities: lighted 400-meter eight-lane track with jump and throw areas; video scoreboard. The infield of the track will be a multi-purpose synthetic turf field which will be used as the home to the future intercollegiate field hockey team (anticipated to begin competition in fall 2025) and as a practice facility for football, men’s and women’s lacrosse, and men’s and women’s soccer.
- Rugby field: lighted, natural grass field with scoreboard. The women’s rugby team will celebrate its inaugural season as an intercollegiate sport in 2024-25 and the men’s rugby team will also be housed under the athletic department. Currently, both women’s and men’s rugby teams have re-ignited as club teams.
- Dual two-tier press box: One side faces the track and multi-purpose field, the other faces the rugby field. The first floor will house concessions and restrooms; the second floor will include a press box and VIP suite. Grandstand seating will be available for each venue.
- Five parking lots with 435 parking spaces.
An existing cross country course—which has been used primarily for training but has hosted competitive meets—will be retained and used for practices and competitions. The Saxon Hill Sports Complex is expected to be a boon for student-athlete recruitment. The University estimates the project will increase new student enrollment by approximately 170 in the first six years of its opening. “We are already starting to build energy around the project,” Steward said, noting that coaches are using architectural renderings and project descriptions on recruiting visits. “Many prospective student-athletes have these types of facilities at their high schools,” she noted. “This demonstrates to our recruits that athletics is an integral part of Alfred University. This facility will also compare with our opponents’ facilities, allowing us to be more competitive in the recruiting process while also providing our students with facilities that fill them with a sense of pride.” Steward noted that Saxon Hill will provide a better quality of experience for student-athletes and athletics staff as there will be less early morning and late-night practices. Student recruitment will be further enhanced by Saxon Hill hosting sports camps and clinics for high school students. The facility will be a resource not only to the University’s Athletics Department, but to the entire campus and Alfred community at large. Steward pointed to expectations that Saxon Hill will facilitate growth in the University’s club and intramural offerings, which will further aid in student recruitment and retention efforts. “This sports complex will make those programs much more robust,” she said. Saxon Hill, Steward noted, will reflect Alfred University’s mission of helping students find their purpose. “We want our students to be the very best they can be, and we are helping them by providing the finest possible facilities, as well as the support personnel needed to help mentor and engage them.” Once completed, Saxon Hill will complement nearby existing sports and recreational facilities located in the area atop Jericho Hill. These include the Bromeley-Daggett Equestrian Center at Maris Cuneo Equine Park, home to Alfred University’s world-class equestrian program, and Foster Lake, which provides the campus community with numerous recreational and co-curricular opportunities.”
Allegany County lawmakers give initial OK to bond issue for Alfred U’s $30M sports complex By JIM ECKSTROM jeckstrom@oleantimesherald.com Apr 24, 2024 Updated Apr 24, 2024 Allegany County lawmakers on Wednesday gave an initial OK to the issuance of bonds to help finance Alfred University’s $30 million athletics and recreation complex atop Jericho Hill in the town of Alfred. The Ways and Means Committee of the Allegany County Board of Legislators passed along a resolution giving the go-ahead to the Allegany County Capital Resource Corp. regarding the issuance of bonds. County Administrator Carissa M. Knapp explained to committee members that the county must sign off on the bond issue since it will be financing for the not-for-profit university. “We’re not financially involved,” she said of the county, “but (the legislature is) responsible for giving the OK for it.” Knapp pointed out the CRC was formed by county lawmakers to provide types of financial assistance that an industrial development agency cannot. Since the CRC was formed, she said, the legislators approved the issuance of financial assistance, including similar tax-exempt bonds to qualifying projects at Houghton University and Cuba Memorial Hospital. The bond-issue resolution must still be approved by the full legislature. As to how much the bond issue will be, that has yet to be determined because the university is still engaged in fundraising for the $30 million project. Alfred, in announcing that a ground-breaking for the project is set for May 9, indicated Wednesday that more than $10 million has been raised so far. Alfred’s Saxon Hill Sports Complex will cover approximately 41 acres at Jericho Hill Road and Kenyon Road. Plans include a new outdoor artificial multipurpose turf field; a 400-meter track (and/or other track and field facilities); a field event area; a rugby field; a dual two-tier press box with restrooms, concessions area, and grandstands; and a baseball field with press box, locker room, restrooms and concessions area. Work will also include driveways; five parking lots; sidewalks; and a sports center featuring locker rooms, athletic training room, offices and a maintenance and storage facility. The architectural firm of Clark, Patterson and Lee, with architects from its Olean office, provided design services for the Saxon Hill Sports Complex.”
