Alumni Wall of Fame

I started playing rugby for OP in tenth grade. It was the first sport I played, but I took to it quickly. I played at St. Bonaventure for five years in college and have since played for the Boston Mystics, Stars Rugby, 1823 Sevens, Negro y Azul, Northeast ODA, USA South Selects, Air Force Phantom 7’s, Ohio Aviators, Chicago Lions, Buffalo Rugby, NOLA Gold, and this coming season Rugby ATL. Rugby is a great sport, but the best part of it is the opportunities it gives you off the field. I got to spend a month on a resort in Bermuda for a 10’s tournament, I got to compete in an eating competition against Joey Chestnut (and ironically enough made the ESPN top 10 for it), and I got to hang out with and play with or against some of the best players in the world. My favorite thing by far though, is the connections I’ve built through the sport. I still talk to the guys I played with at OP, I was even a groomsman for one of their weddings. At the end of the day, I don’t remember most of the games I’ve played, but I do remember and value the teammates and friends I made along the way. 

Hey my name is Mikaela and I was in OP rugby from 2012 until 2015. At OP I mostly played flank and 8man, and I continued playing those positions through 4 years of Oswego Club Rugby while getting my undergrad degree in Biology and playing varsity ice hockey. Now I’m back in Buffalo for my masters degree in Physician Assistant at D’Youville College. I now play club at D’Youville, a brand new rugby club. I can not thank my first rugby family at Orchard Park enough, for without them I wouldn’t be the same person I am today. After all, I’m a bridesmaid in Ashleigh’s wedding (another OP Rugby Alumni) next summer! Thanks to Lisa and the OP rugby family for the endless opportunities that were created for me thanks to the game. 

My name is Courtney Sullivan, I played Orchard Park Rugby from 2010-2014 and captained the team in the 2014 season. I played for the NY state All-Star Team in 2011 and 2014, voted MVP in 2014. I then played Division 1 rugby at Norwich University from 2014-2017, winning our first National Championship in 2015 Spring 7s, and accepting a 4-year National ROTC Scholarship. I graduated Norwich University Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Computer Security and Information Assurance focused in Digital Forensics and Information Systems Management, and commissioned into the Army a 2LT and a United States Military Honor Graduate. I currently am serving in the Army as a Cyber Officer and continue to play rugby for the U.S. Army’s All Army Rugby Team as well as Scion Rugby Academy. 

Hey all, my name is Elena Kamis and I played for OP Rugby for three seasons, 2014-2016. I was captain for my final two seasons winning states both times! I played as a second row a majority of my time with Sarah Wiley as my other half, and occasionally flanking. While I hoped to join the women’s rugby club here at The University of Illinois, engineering had other plans for me. I am now a senior in Aerospace Engineering and plan on moving to the East Coast post my graduation next December to work as a Systems/Operations Engineer (fingers crossed!). I plan on joining an adult club team once I’m back working full time for the physical and mental challenge. Rugby taught me so much about hard work, perseverance, the importance of being a leader, and working with a team! I owe so much to my coaches and teammates and think of OP Rugby fondly everyday. I miss it so much! 

            OP Rugby            2019-2022

Hi All, My name is Ella Nenoff.