Move over, Union and RPI hockey. There’s a new Mayor’s Cup in town.
Well, really it’s an old Mayor’s Cup, newly polished and refurbished for the 21st century.
From 1974 to 1988, the Albany Knickerbockers and Schenectady Reds competed for the Mayor’s Cup in rugby, but the tradition faded as the Reds declined and eventually folded.
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of their club, the Knicks have revived the Mayor’s Cup, with the Saratoga Cavalry taking the part of the Reds.
When: 2 p.m. Saturday
Where: Dick Green Field, Albany
The first Mayor’s Cup between the Knicks and Cavalry will kick off at 2 p.m. Saturday at Dick Green Field in Albany. (Saratoga will host next year’s match.) The trophy presentation will be at 3:45, with a social gathering at Wolff’s Biergarten to follow. Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan and Saratoga Mayor Ron Kim will both be in attendance.
“I think it’s really going to help create a stronger rugby community, in general, in the Capital District that’s been missing for a little while,” said Knicks captain Cono Cirone.
There’s no admission, but there is also no seating, so spectators should bring their own chairs or picnic blankets.
The trophy is the same one inaugurated by Albany Mayor Erastus Corning II and Schenectady Mayor Frank Duci in 1974 with a new plaque on the base.
The Knicks and Cavalry had made previous attempts to restart the Mayor’s Cup tradition, but scheduling and logistical issues got in the way, according to Cavalry president Rob Michelin. Despite being less than an hour apart, the teams play in different geographic divisions of USA Rugby.
This time, they started planning in the fall of 2022, early enough to put the…
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