Invitation Letter to 2001 Snowbowl

Dear Siena Rugby Alumni:

We are writing not only to invite you and your family to this year's Snow Bowl, to be held Saturday, December 1, but to share with you how the unfortunate events of September 11 have affected our Siena Rugby community.

Two former players, Terence McShane ('86) and Mike "Cool" Taddonio ('84), were lost in the attack on the World Trade Center on that fateful day. Terence was a NYC Firefighter and Mike was employed by Eurobrokers, Inc. Both leave behind three young children.

After the tragic and senseless losses of Mike and Terence, many who belong to this community reached out to one another to offer and receive condolence, comfort, and possibly some reassurance. And we learned that none of us was alone - that we were all re-examining what was important in our lives and we had all reflected on the value of staying connected with friends and old acquaintances.

In this spirit - a spirit we feel we share with many of you - we invite you to join your friends and former teammates on December 1, as we pay tribute to Terence and Mike at a memorial service at the Siena College Chapel at 11:00 am. Our traditional Snow Bowl will follow at 1:00 pm. Following the game, there will be an on-campus gathering for players, alumni, families and friends of Siena Rugby.

It is not important that you play in the game. The true meaning of this event is to bring us all together, here and now, to celebrate the past and share in our expectations of the future.

We will also be establishing a fund in the names of Terence and Mike, to be appropriated to a cause for which our community can be proud.

As the national tragedy unfolded, many of us looked to reach out, first as Americans, and then in ways that would tie us closer to the communities to which we have belonged. This fund allows our generosity to reach not only the Siena community, but a fraternal organization that for many of us, has shaped our lives. We hope you will all respond to this effort with the passion and commitment that you brought to the pitch in your Siena days.

We will provide further details on the fund and the logistics of a financial commitment on December 1, but at this point, we ask only that you respond to this invitation.

Regardless of the means by which you receive this (letter or e-mail), please use any means you have to spread the word to other players or friends of Siena Rugby. Also, we are working to improve upon the list we have, and it would help us immensely if you would respond with any current information you want to share. Please do so by going to www.sienarugbyalumni.com and providing the information asked for. This site has just been created with the thought that it will continue to grow to serve the Siena Rugby community, so bookmark it and check back often.

We realize this time of year is the beginning of the holiday season and all of us have a full calendar of commitments. This year, though, given the events that we've seen, the true meaning of the holidays is brought in to crystal-clear focus. There is no greater gift you can give to your children than demonstrating compassion and support as a group of your friends come together in a time of need.

Sincerely,

Your Rugby Planning Committee