SUNY New Paltz rugby team hosted their first annual Raymond Rattray Memorial Tournament on April 20. The Hawks held the tournament on the New Paltz Rugby Field and faced off against Molloy University who ultimately won the trophy.
The tournament was initially scheduled earlier this semester before Raymond Rattray’s death on Jan. 23. New Paltz was originally supposed to play against Molloy University and Bard College. However, Bard was unable to attend due to a lack of players available this past weekend, and they are in the process of preparing for another tournament.
After Rattray’s passing, his team wanted to honor his memory. Team captain and third-year scrum-half Caleb Persanis came up with the idea to dedicate a tournament to him that would become an annual event.
“We went about contacting Ray’s family and getting things ready for a tradition,” said Persanis. “We got a trophy to award, a ball to give Ray’s family, invited the SA [Student Association] and others from the school then invited Ray’s family to present the trophy. Ray’s aunt and cousin ended up coming to support us.”
When the day of the tournament came and the sun came out after a night of rain, over 70 people came out and trekked across the muddy field to show their support.
New Paltz Rugby’s A and B teams took to the field to play Molloy. The Hawks started off strong in the first game with the A team bringing home a score of 33-17.
Coming off the field, the teams each gathered in their respective huddles, discussing the game and planning for the next. New Paltz ended each break throughout the tournament chanting “Raymond.”
The second game was for fun with the A team versus the B team, also known as Raymond’s Raiders, and coach Joel Venables joining in. The Raiders put up a good fight against their fellow Hawks winning 12-10, surprising those on the sidelines.
The tournament continued with Raymond’s Raiders playing Molloy in game three and the Hawks playing the final match. Molloy ultimately walked away victorious in both with scores of 28-10 and 12-5 respectively. However, New Paltz rugby still won the point differential.
Persanis highlighted a standout moment in the tournament with third-year flyhalf Frederick Asher’s kicking abilities. For three of the seniors on the team, these would be their last home games before they graduate, making the day extra special: Sean O’Hehir, Ramses Terry and Louis Webster.
“It was a really great event,” said Persanis. “We’re super thankful to the Student Association for coming, the facilities and athletics department for making it happen and to the 70-plus people who came out to support us.”
After the final game, it was time to award Molloy with the first annual Raymond Rattray Memorial Trophy. Rattray’s cousin, Dylan Diallo, presented the trophy on the field surrounded by both teams.
One of the coaches from Molloy spoke in the huddle, “We’ve been playing together, our four coaches, for 20 years and I tell my team all the time, the community that rugby builds is like nothing else. I’m so glad you guys have each other to fall on. Last year, you guys showed up with eight, nine, 10 guys. Look at what you’ve built in a year. It’s the same thing with our team right now. We’re doing this together. I’m so happy to be here with you guys honoring Raymond and it’s just phenomenal.”
After the tournament, Diallo spoke about the tournament becoming an annual event for the New Paltz Rugby Team. “Even with the field conditions, it doesn’t matter; they’re willing to give it their all. That means a lot and it shows a lot for the type of people they are.”
“Ray chose to choose his friends and who he felt like he wanted to be around,” Diallo continued. “I feel like he made a really good choice with those guys. It’s a solid group and I really appreciate the fact that they’re showing up.”
The Jan. 23 hit-and-run is still an ongoing case with an arrest on March 22 of Ty Kobelt, 33, of Gardiner.
The investigation conducted by the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office, New Paltz Police Department, Forensic Identification Unit of the State Police and the Ulster County District Attorney led to the March 25 arraignment, according to the Times Union.
