2020 Reunion Week a Virtual Success
To fulfill our program's commitment to finding ways for alumni, friends, family, and players to connect, the Booster club hosted and held our first ever virtual Reunion Week. The week kicked off with a Town Hall on Monday, September 21st and was followed by three nights of virtual Happy Hours. Though we were all upset that the trajectory of the pandemic did not allow us to convene safely in Happy Valley, we were still grateful to connect "beyond the pitch", the theme of our week.
Reunion Week and the Town Hall began with program updates from Men's Head Coach Justin Hundley and Women's Head Coach Kate Daley. Attendees were then greeted by a few select current players from each team who expressed sincere appreciation for our alumni, parents, and supporters.
As a board we also said goodbye and heard from now former Booster Club board member, Kristen Miller '09. Kristen formally stepped away from the board of directors this summer but continues to prioritize promoting the Booster club and the very important work we do keeping our PSU rugby family connected and engaged. While we know Kristen will forever find ways to give back to the club that gave her so much, we hope she will pause for a moment and accept our sincere gratitude for everything she has done. She was, and in many ways is still, the glue that has kept us all connected for years. From communications to event logistics, and from alumni relations to direct program support, she has done it all! Kristen embodied the concept of leaving something better than you found it and she will be incredibly missed.
Kristen spoke during the town hall to illustrate the great number of ways the Board and Booster club are integral in preserving the legacy of Penn State Rugby. And that the board and booster club does not function without the dedication of numerous volunteers. Her shoes will be hard to fill but as she stated, they must be filled. The town hall was the perfect platform for her call to action; join the board and give back to a program that has given you an incredible experience; help continue the legacy of all those who came before you. If you are interested in finding out more about how you can contribute to or become a member of the PSU Rugby Booster Club board, please reach out to Kellie Vetter (kellievetr@gmail.com).
We also want to thank alumni Claudia Braymer and Dave Skidmore for being guest speakers during the Town Hall and for telling their stories on how PSU Rugby has prepared them for life "beyond the pitch". Your stories remind us all of the values that were instilled in us forever by Penn State Rugby and provide inspiration to those still wearing the white and blue jerseys.
While PSU Rugby Reunion Weekend 2020 will always have an asterisk by it, like most of the events this year, the creativity and willingness for our Penn State Rugby family to tackle what was in front of us has lined us up for even greater things to come. We received excellent feedback from supporters who attended the Town Hall and many Happy Hour attendees wished even more of their teammates had popped into the sessions to connect. This year has given us all time to slow down and reflect on our time and how we spend it. If it can't be on the pitch (or beside the pitch), let's continue to find ways to spend it "beyond the pitch".
Kellie Vetter ‘14, PSU Booster Club President
