Congratualtions from MARFU and The VA Tech Men & Women's Rugby Football Clubs for qualifying for the 1997 MARFU Collegiate Championship. Information concerning the upcoming playoffs is listed below. If any additional information is needed, or if you have any questions, please contact Steve Guiffre (Event Coordinator) at the E-mail or Phone# listed at the bottom.

 Top 8 Teams from Men's Division I, Men's Division II, and Women. Higher position Team with Home Field Advantage.

 Please contact your Round 1 opponent to make arrangements for the Games on Nov 8th.

 Results:

Navy defeated West Chester (81-18)
Kutztown defeated Maryland (22-13)
Virginia Tech defeated Georgetown (102-0)
East Stroudsburg defeated James Madison (58-12)

 Results:

Salisbury defeated Bucknell (56-0)
Villanova defeated Mount St. Mary's (62-9)
Frostburg defeated VMI (43-20)
St. Joseph's defeated U. of Richmond (58-12)

Princeton defeated UVA (13-7)
VA Tech defeated Delaware (24-7)
Navy defeated Bucknell (59-3)
William & Mary defeated Salisbury (22-0)

Position 1 vs Position 8; Position 2 vs Position 7; Position 3 vs Position 6; Position 4 vs Position 5 

MARFU Championship Weekend (Nov 15th & 16th)
Location: Blacksburg, VA (Virginia Tech Campus)
Weather forecast for Blacksburg direct from the National Weather Service

Game Times for Finals Weekend (Nov 15th & 16th)
There will be two fields used for the tournament.

In the event of a tie after a full match of two forty-minute halves during the MARFU Playoffs (Championship Competitions) and challenge matches, the tie-breaking procedures shall be as follows:

1. Referee will flip coin just as he would to start the match.

2. This will be followed by two (2) ten-minute halves. Teams will switch ends at the half.

3. If teams are still tied at the end of this twenty minutes, they will play sudden death in ten-minute periods, switching ends at the end of each period. Each new ten-minute period will begin with a kick-off at mid-field, alternating teams for the kickoff. 

Water breaks for overtime:
1. Five minutes at the end of the regulation and every forty minutes of overtime, and

2. Two minutes after each 10 minute period.

 Directions From the North to the Pitch:

Take 81 South (Past Roanoke)
Take Exit 118 Christiansburg (Go Right at Bottom of Exit)
This is Route 460
Follow signs to VA Tech
At the First Light take a Right (Route 460 Bypass)
Still following signs to VA Tech
Follow Route 460 past the Downtown Blacksburg Exit
Take a Right at the First Light after the Downtown Exit
This is Southgate drive
Take your first Right onto Tech Center Drive
Park in the Lot on the Left (Fields are on the Right)

Take 81 South (Past Roanoke)
Take Exit 118 Christiansburg (Go Right at Bottom of Exit)
This is Route 460
Follow signs to VA Tech
At the First Light take a Right (Route 460 Bypass)
Still following signs to VA Tech
Follow Route 460 past the Downtown Blacksburg Exit
Take the first Prices Fork Exit
Go through the First Light and the Four Points Sheraton
will be on the Left.

**Directions from the Hotel to the Pitch will be available at the Hotel. A list of conveniently located Restaurants will also be provided.

Reservations must be made on Monday Nov 10th before 5pm!
Phone #:(800) 228-9290 or (540) 552-7001
Rooms are blocked off under Virginia Tech Rugby

 The rooms will be $69 each. I recommend using this Hotel because of the good rate and an excellent location to the fields.

***NOTE*** Time periods for eligibility clearances (registration) will be scheduled for each team competing in Blacksburg at least one hour prior to their first match on Saturday. Check In will be held at the South Rec Fields.

 *Requirements for Participation*

1. A roster of 30 players must be submitted to the Event Coordinator prior to the first round of the competition with their Name, College ID numbers, CIPP #, Date first enrolled in any college or university. The roster MUST be sealed (imprinted seal) by the University or College Registrar (not a faculty advisor or other person) and it shall also certify that that each and every individual listed on the player's roster is a full-time undergraduate student pursuing a first degree at their university or college. A collegiate eligibility certification form is available in PDF format. A Word version is available from Steve Guiffre. Please use this form or provide identical information on a single sheet.

2. An affidavit must be submitted to the Event Coordinator prior to the first round of the competition and be signed by each player that they have the required health and medical insurance as required by USARFU. A medical insurance certification affidavit form is available in PDF format. A Word version is available from Steve Guiffre. Please use the form provided or provide identical information on a single sheet.

3. Each player must have a valid Identity Card with a photograph from the college or university and present it for inspection at the eligibility clearance at the field and prior to their match.

4. Each player must have a valid CIPP card from USARFU and present it for inspection at the eligibility clearance at the field and prior to their match. All players must be enrolled in CIPP prior to start of MARFU playoffs. In the event that a player has enrolled in CIPP and was not provided a CIPP card by the USA National Office, then the following is acceptable as proof of CIPP enrollment [listed in order of preference]:

1. All participating clubs and players must already conform to the USARFU Collegiate Club and Player Eligibility requirements. During the screening prior to the competition in Blacksburg, each club and each player will present documentation certifying his or her eligibility.

2. Participants are forewarned that all players over 23 years of age will be asked to present evidence that less than five years have elapsed since they first enrolled at any college or university. Sufficient documentation is no less than a complete transcript.

1. Each team must have matching jerseys numbered 1 through 15 with numbers worn by players according to position.

2. Jerseys, shorts and socks must be clean and free from tears, rips, and holes. If sleeves are cut, they must be hemmed and must at least cover the biceps. Boxer shorts must not show below rugby shorts. Spandex shorts may be worn under rugby shorts only if they are a matching color to the shorts.

3. Each participating team is expected to have a medical kit available.

1. The university or college club must be authorized and recognized by the administration of the college or university it represents and be CIPP registered, including players, coaches and the club itself.

2. The club must have a faculty member who serves as an adviser to the club.

3. The club must have a permanent mailing address (note: this address should not be that of a student officer, but a permanent PO Box or address at which members can be contacted regardless of changes in administration.

4. The club must have an appointed coach.

5. The club must be a full member* of a local area union recognized by the USARFU.

6. The club must follow all USARFU directives regarding player eligibility and competition.

Only FULL-TIME, UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN GOOD STANDING, playing for the rugby club at his/her university or college, may compete in matches leading to a national championship. The definitions of full-time equivalency and good standing are standards set by each institution of higher education. The university or college club must be a full member* of a local area union within USARFU.

Students, playing rugby in a competition leading to a national championship, must be undergraduates working towards a first bachelor's degree and have first enrolled at a college or university (including junior or community colleges) which has a rugby program no sooner than 5 years before the beginning of the competition. As an example, if the national championship ends in the spring of 1997, to compete in the championship final, the student must have enrolled no sooner than the summer of 1992.

There are no restrictions regarding the number of alien students. Any alien who is full-time undergraduate student in good standing may play for his/her college or university and is subject to the same regulations as any other student.

* Full member status is required of all clubs participating in a championship event starting at the local area union and ending in a national championship. At present this applies only to the Men's Division 1 and Women's competition, not the Men's Division 2 competition. All other requirements apply to the Division teams competing for a Territorial championship.

Appeal for a waiver of the eligibility regulations must be filed prior to the start of the LAU competition. The procedure for the appeal is as follows:

1. A letter of appeal and the appropriate documentation for the appeal must be filed with the Chairperson of the USARFU Eligibility Committee by October 18th.

In competitions leading to USARFU events, eligibility follows all the USARFU regulations. In other competitions, no such restrictions exist, save those for the particular event, as set by the event organizer, and those of the local area union.

The eligibility requirements for competitions within Local Area Unions are the responsibility of the Local Area Unions. The criteria set by MARFU and USARFU are minimal requirements which may be more strict in any given LAU.

For Additional Information on Eligibility Requirements, Check out the following address:

http://www.usarugby.org/eligibil.htm

USARFU Collegiate Eligibility and Medical Insurance Certifications) that you should have [if NOT contact Kris Kabza in VRU and Tom Walsh or Jamie Jisa in PRU] MUST be completed in full to compete in this event and be forwarded (next-day delivery if necessary) for arrival no later than Friday

November 7, 1997 to Steve Guiffre, MARFU Collegiate Championships Event Director, PRIOR to the opening round match on November 8, 1997, as well as participation requirements for your matches. Please submit them to:

Steve Guiffre
316 North Main Street #2
Blacksburg, VA 24060
Phone (540) 951-2652

All teams must be in good standing with their local area union (LAU), including no monies [$$$] owed to either the union or referee society, liability insurance or waiver must be in place, and all players and coaches must be CIPP registered! Any team not in compliance will be subject to forfeiture of matches and additional disciplinary actions.

There will be no alcohol allowed at this event. All teams and players must adhere to the Alcohol Policies spelled out by USARFU.

Team Photos will be taken prior to each Team's First Match on Saturday. Full Kits are required for the Photo. Team Pictures will be submitted to Rugby Magazine for there December Issue.

Thanks, Steve Guiffre

Stephen Guiffre
Virginia Tech Rugby Coach
316 North Main Street #2
Blacksburg, VA 24060
(540) 951-2652
sguiffre@usit.net