Alfred University Women's Rugby

Dr. Nicole Bernsen was hired by Alfred University as the Director of Rugby and Women's Rugby Head Coach on May 19, 2023. Prior to AU, Bernsen spent three years as the Associate Director for Athletics Academic Services and Senior Woman Administrator at the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF). While at UAF, Bernsen provided academic support to prospective and current student-athletes across 10 varsity programs, coordinated tutorial services and other learning support, and provided workshops to aid in the improvement of student-athletes' study habits, academic skills, and personal growth. Before UAF, Bernsen served as the Education Director for the American Collegiate Rugby Association in Dover, Delaware where she implemented and directed educational professional development initiatives. In 2020, Bernsen served as the rugby select side assistant coach at the Pacific Northwest Rugby Football Union in Seattle, Washington. Bernsen was the head rugby coach for the University of Maine from January of 2017 to May of 2020. Under her leadership, UMaine qualified for the postseason each year. She established competition in sevens rugby as well as initiated the team's strength and conditioning program. Bernsen coached six Academic All-Americans while leading the team to a Division II Women's Collegiate Ranking of ninth in fifteens and third in sevens rugby. Her team won the New England Continental Bowl in the Fall of 2017. Prior to the University of Maine, Bernsen spent a year at the Uni

Hired at AU: August of 2025 Alma Mater: Corning Community College '21, Alfred University '24 Pratt is in her first season on staff

Cullen Mahoney joined the Alfred University rugby program as a graduate assistant prior to the 2024-25 season.  Mahoney gets his coaching start with the Saxons

Russell was hired as the Head Men's Rugby Coach and Assistant Women's Rugby Coach in May of 2024. He also plays a lead role in the campus intramural program. Russell comes to Alfred University from the University of Maine, where he recently led his team to the 2024 National Collegiate Rugby Men's Division II National Championship title. He has worked as the men's rugby coach since August of 2015 and has a 49-20-1 record to show for it. Russell's men's rugby program has qualified for the national tournament for 15's in 2015, 2016, 2022 and 2023 outside of the champion season of 2024. His program also qualified for nationals in 7's in 2021 and 2022, finishing in the Top-15 in both seasons. Russell's work with the program extended beyond the pitch as he worked with the University of Maine Strength & Conditioning department to set up a partnership for both men's and women's rugby as both are club sports. He also established an endowment to support the men's program's 50th anniversary team. Russell also worked with the women's rugby team at U. Maine and helped coach them to finish ninth in the nation during his one and a half years with the team. Concurrently, while working at Maine, Russell coached the National Small College Rugby Organization (NSCRO), now named the National Collegiate Rugby (NCR), North East Collegiate Select team as the Side Forwards Coach. During his two years, he helped lead them to two National Championship Finals and coached eight players to All-American ho

Bailey serves as an Volunteer Assistant Coach for both the men's and women's rugby teams at Alfred University, joining both staffs in the spring of 2025. A former