Starting in 2008 NYRC incorporated a piece of Manhattan Rugby Club (MRC) tradition, the Honorary Life Vice President (HLVP). As our Club now combines traditions of MRC and Cornell Medical College Women's RFC/Gotham City RFC (GCRC) to the rich history of the NYRC, there are certainly many people deserving this honor. The purpose is to remember our history and make special note of individuals who went above and beyond the call to help make the club they played for a better place to play rugby. We propose that the first class includes all former HLVPs of MRC and nominated members of NYRC and GCRC.

Nomination and Decision Process: All references to dues exclude social dues-paying members. Any dues-paying member of the Club may nominate a current or former dues-paying member to become an HLVP. For 2008 inaugural class Club members are encouraged to submit names to the Club's Officers and Board of Directors by the Friday the week before the banquet. The Club's Officers and Board of Directors will vote on the list of candidates and make the final selection which will be announced at the 2008 Club banquet. In future years the nominations should be received by the Friday before the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of NYRC, at which they will be submitted to a vote participated in by current dues-paying members. New class members will then be presented at the Club banquet that follows that year's AGM.

Criteria: Any member of the club current or past is eligible for this honor. Persons nominated to this title must have been, or currently be, dues-paying members of NYRC, MRC or GRC and should have made some lasting contribution to the Club during their time by providing exemplary service and support to the club above and beyond the normal levels of expectation. This is not simply about great players, but about off-the field contributions to the club. In addition to the names, please include a synopsis of why you think this person should be named an HLVP.

Definition of the Title: An HLVP is an honorary title that makes the bearer an automatic lifelong member of the NYRC, exempt from paying dues. They have all privileges associated with full dues-paying members. S/he does not have a position as an Officer or Board of Director of the Club.

Class of 2014 - honored at the 85th Anniversary

Lawrence Remmel
Mike DeLano
Joe Pash
Melissa Daley
John Truehart

Class of 2010

Annie Collier
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Annie is a club person through and through. She
always puts the club first ahead of any personal motivations or gains.
Annie thinks about the club's long term goals and is also there to help with
short term needs.

Annie has been with the club since 2000. She's represented the club in club
play and at all star events since her arrival. She captained the women's
side for 3 years and six playing seasons (Fall 05-Spring of 08) and led
the club to it's first national championship in 2006. She also was an Eagle
from 2003-2006 and played in the 2006 World Cup. She's been the club
treasurer for the past 5 years. As the treasurer she's taken an active role
in helping to shape the club for the long term while taking care to keep us
solvent in the short term. Annie also has coached the women's team in the
Spring of 2009 and Summer of 2009. She set a strong foundation for the team
which then went on to win a second national championship. Annie also serves
as co-head coach of the boys U19 program as well as the person who splits
the duties of program administration, fundraising, jersey washing, driving,
organizing socials and college trips, et cetera with me. Annie has served
as team doctor to many many many NYRC members on and off the field. The
number of times she gets a phone call at home from a club member or has been
interrupted while playing a game or coaching to tend to a clubmates injuries
are countless. Annie has been a volunteer coach at many clinics that NYRC
has offered and she organized and ran a METNY clinic and negotiated that the
fee would go to the women's team as a fundraiser.

Finally, Annie always takes the time to support and encourage her clubmates.
She has run small group training sessions for anyone who was interested as
both a player and a coach. She spends hours and hours each season having one
on one conversations with players to address their needs, concerns, and
aspirations.

I believe Annie Collier to be a stand out club member and she is deserving
of an HLVP.

Class of 2009

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Sarah Litt

Slitty joined NYRC in 2000 and went to work for the club almost immediately. She is currently in her second term as a member of the board of directors. And as one who attends those meetings, you know when she’s there. She is one of those people for whom anyone can count on to get the job done, no matter how big or small.

She has created scoreboards, programs, tournament packages and worked at creating an online outlet for club gear and negotiates with suppliers. Despite her warning, that and I am quoting her here, “we suck at fundraising” she has jumped into the fundraising battle and continues to help raise money.

If you have ever seen her, clipboard in hand at NY 7’s then you know she’s in charge, I’m not saying she has a Napolean complex here, I’m just saying she knows what needs to be done and does it.

While she may have retired from active playing, for now…. she has not retired from working for the club.

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Lisa Lake

Laker joined the club in the fall of 2002 and had an immediate impact on the club. One of her greatest contributions is her work in being one of the primary creators of the U19 program. That program has meant a lot to all the player that have passed through and ultimately will help make the NYRC a more solid club for the future.

On the field, she is one of the first Eagles to join the NYRC and quickly became the forward leader and is the player other players come to for help and guidance as they build their own careers. In short, she always has time to help everyone.

She is currently the club’s vice president for the HS program, which only means that she is now officially doing what she has always done. All these young players that are here tonight, are here in part because of Laker’s commitment to this program on and off the field.

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Gianni Lopez

When I joined Manhattan back in the 80’s Gianni had already been a captain and vice president.

He continued playing and working with younger backs and continues to this day. In between he was an officer for Manhattan and has been a referee and this year is actually becoming a certified referee. He just came off a three year run as a coach for the men’s team and continues to help coach. But, even now at his advanced age, he’s a year older than me so I can say this, he is plotting his way back to the A-side. Within the past few years he has played for the A’s B’s and Gents. He is a true club man.

Class of 2008

----------------------Deceased ................
Jacko Jackson. * fourth founder
Alan Sims, original player, started Atlanta teams *
Jim Fusca, founding members, wpix, *
Mike King, 83, three time captain, *
John Tait, 85, organizer captain les vieux only player on both NYRC and MRFC lists
Tom Frawley, president, organized ski trips and Europe and les vieux player *
John Mallett (also deceased) was English NYRC, POW WWII organized in prison rugby games international matches England v Wales and were in the middle of one such games when liberated by Irish soldiers.

-------------------New York Rugby Club-------------------------/
Thomas S. Wood - Founder of the club
Albert Woodley - First Club Secretary and President for many years
Bill Burney - Early member of New York and long time supporter
Alan Carey - Great scrumhalf in the 1930s
Dr. Dale Hopp - Former club President and Captain
John Barnes
Harry Brill Edwards
Jim Daley
Geoff Andrews - Whines
Glenn Treacher - Ship of Fools
Jim Witter
Timmy Walsh
Bill Rung
Ed Lebow

---------Manhattan RFC-----------------------------------/
Ken White, Australian captain
George Medawar, stamp dealer, shady deals hiding out in rugby, admin/organizer, founder? Lives in England.
Derrick Robinson, early member, writer newsletter, IRB laws in plain English, got good pr, author, now in England,
Mike Mulcahy, captain Irishman, boston and captain of boston rfc
Ray Cornbill, Eagles Coach
Tony Studdy, match sec 3rd and 2nd team captain organizer in philly
Malachy McCourt - author and bon vivant
Don Freedman, clubman
Ted Last, 72, Manhattan Curry Club, 64-
Ray Norat, assist commish of parks would got us randalls and downing stadium,
Bob Miles, president, tours male nurse, minister in Canada, band b
Bill Haffner, 78
Tom Ford, president, player, 78
Mike King, 83, three time captain, *
Ann Wilson, ex NY member sec for 8 years, part of a NY crowd,
Eric Jones 84, Welshman, captain Bermuda teachers, captain, in Australia,
Bernard Dominici 98, Frenchman, French tours organized games.

-------*Cornell Medical College Women, Gotham, NY Women-----/
Meg Votta, women began in 1982, started in 83, Gotham 86, captain president, coach, match sec, founded TWOTS 95 first Saranac.
Erica Wolf - founder, referee continues to be associated with the club

--------------IN ATTENDENCE
Steve Harty - new Joined MRFC in 1977 when we agreed to merge what was the the Columbia Business and Law Schools RFC into MRFC. Played until 1995. Met Union organizer and rep. Coached for two years recovering from broken wrist. Turned to Refereeing post broken neck and ref society treasurer three years.
Don Warner - started in 80, president three years 85, 86, 87, retired to be treasurer, 88, Dreamteam, clubman
---------------------------------Gotham/Women----------
Liz Cass, joined Gotham in 1989 quickly became Mama Cass. Merged 1997 and director since. Fields,
Jessa Giordano - joined NY in 1998. I was Secretary from 1999-2004, and have been a Director since 2004. I have run the NY 7s since 2001.
Hedwig Aerts - "Hedwig has been the perfect ambassador for this club in general and the women's team in particular." five year captain, recruiter and first NY eagle
-----------------------/NYRC----------
Jim Witter - Former Club Captain. Actively involved with the club for decades. Everyone knows that Jim and Angie host the best barbecues.
Drew Fautley - join in 1986. Former Club Captain at age 23. Women's coach 97-2000, 2005 to present, coached men for 02 and 03, Columbia, Iona, Yale and occasional Gent
Joe D'Aprocida , Joe Dap - Has been actively involved with the club for decades. Former officer and board member. Joe has been instrumental in the running of the sevens tournament for decades. The most anal guy in the room and I mean that in a good way. Unofficial historian
Joe O'Mara - Every former player who visits New York asks about Joe O'Mara. Joe knows someone in every town in every country in the world. All around great guy who began playing with the club in the early 1960s. Joe has been involved with the club for decades and his sons have also played with the club.