On November 14, 2015, Uticuse Rugby hosted the 5th Annual Ruck Cancer Rugby Tournament at Dave’s Diner on Route 5 in Utica. An unprecedented 16 teams – 8 men’s and 8 women’s – traveled from near (Rome) and far (Philadelphia) to play.

The tournament theme, “Less Cancer, More Pizza,” was inspired by this year’s beneficiary, Mr. Benjamin Longale, a pediatric cancer patient from Voorheesville, NY. He loves the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, which was reflected in everything from tournament t-shirts to team names.

The weather was uncooperative, with temperatures hovering around freezing throughout the day, but […]