UALBANY RUGBY ALUMNI

Still don't like no mellow :) !

Hall of Fame Members

2004
Chuck Rappazzo
2005
Timmy Walsh
2009
Wences Rodriguez
Andy Lee
John Durant
2010
Gary Boccio
Joe DaProcida
2011
Bill Stockwell
Billy O'Connell

Chuck Rappazzo, inducted in 2004
was a captain, player coach and asst coach for UAlbany Rugby. Chuck was pound for pound the best rugby player Albany has produced. Chuck combined defensive tenacity with explosive offense. He utilized his speed and quickness to raise a whole lot of havoc on the opposition. His off field antics and leadership are legendary.
Chuck went on to play for, and captain,the Albany Knickerbocker Rugby Club. He was named to the Knick's "25 Players of All Time" Club. As a coach at UAlbany, he was responsible for teaching much of the offensive schemes we still run today. His vision and on field presence was and still is felt today.

Timmy Walsh, inducted 2005,
captained and led UAlbany as a scrum half out of famed Xavier High School in NYC. Timmy used his tough, gritty style to lead the Danes on and off the field.
Timmy's rugby resume includes winning a national high school championship as a player and asst. coach at Xavier, captained the New York Rugby Club and played various levels of select side. Timmy currently is an asst rugby coach at his alma mater Xaveir High School.

Wences Rodriguez, inducted in 2009
Wences was a hard nosed rugby player who was nearly unstoppable near the opponents try line. His play at eightman on offense and defense led the way for the mid 70's version of "Albany State" Rugby. Low, hard and fast was his game. Wences pregame rituals are legendary. Wences went on to play for the Albany Knickerbocker Rugby Club.

Andy Lee, inducted 2009,
Andy put the razzle in razzle dazzle. A frustrated UAlbany Football offensive lineman in a runninng backs body, Andy made the transistion to center on the rugby squad with ease and enthusiasm. Andy would later take on the scrum half posistion and played for some 20 years with the Albany Knickerbocker Rugby Club.

John Durant, inducted in 2009
was a captain, player and is currently the head coach for UAlbany Rugby. John was a fullback on UAlbany's gridiron squad who made the transistion to the gentlemen's game during the spring seasons at flanker and eightman. Run to face, not space, exemplified his no nonsense style of play. John went on to captain the Albany Knickerbocker RFC. He is currently in his 26th season as head coach.

Gary Boccio, inducted in 2010
was a President, player and and tremendous offensive flanker. Gary was known for his heisman like moves and power. Gary, never shy for going for that extra yard, would leave would be tacklers in his wake before hitting paydirt. Gary was an everything man for the club doing everything from p.r., president, fundraiser, and exceptional player. Gary did not go on to play after his UAlbany days but continued to bring his wife and family to many alumni games where he would once again strap on his boots and don the purple jersey.

Joe DaProcida, inducted in 2010
was a President, player and tremendous inside center. Joe was known for his quick, darting style of running and an allmost mystical way of finding space. Joe would hit the hole dish and support The inside center posistion has seen it's share of pounding ball carriers unwilling to give up the ball till the very end, but "Dap" is the ultimate team player. Field needs to be lined, pass to be made, friend in need, alumni support, Joe is always the man on the spot. First to come to aid those in need with no questions. Joe went on to play many successful seasons with the New York Rugby Club. Joe also held many posistions on the club as an administrator. Joe continues to support both UAlbany Rugby and New York RFC in many capacities.

Bill Stockwell, inducted in 2011
Bill was the prototype for a rugby player. He was big, fast, intelligent and unselfish. Bill was one of the finest athletes ever to play rugby for Albany. Originally recruited to play both outside linebacker for the football team and to compete on the swimming/diving team,where he set several school records as a freshman.
In rugby, Bill was fast enough to be back and run around you and big enough to play in the scrum and run over you. He mainly played wing forward and lock and was know for his devastating defensive hits. He was President of the team for two years and helped keep the team progressing until Johnny Durant started coaching the team.
Bill went on to play several years for the Eagle Rock rugby team in California and now lives with his family in Arizona and has occasionally made it back to Albany for an alumni game.

Billy O'Connell, inducted in 2011
Billy was the complete flyhalf. His booming kicks kept the pressure off his team while his high balls would put severe pressure on the opposisition. Unlike most who played the posistion, Billy would look to take the ball up and support his squad with crushing tackles. His goal and conversions supplied the majority of points for his college side. Upon graduation Billy went on to play for the Albany Knicks and a long career with the New York Rugby Club.

Outstanding Rugby Alumni