Dana began her rugby career in 2001 with the Vassar College Women, under the coaching of Tony Brown and Mark Griffiths. She graduated in ‘03 with a BA in Anthropology, having contributed to multiple regional titles and the team’s first ever qualification for the USA Rugby D1 Sweet 16.
Dana then attended Seton Hall University from ‘04-‘06 and played with Morris Rugby while completing her MS in Athletic Training. She assisted with the student-run Seton Hall Men’s Rugby club, and later was the assistant coach for the startup of a SUNY-Purchase Women’s Rugby team. Following this, Dana played with the Hudson Valley Renegades and Suffolk Bull Moose before returning to her roots in the city by joining New York Rugby Club in 2012 to play at the Premier League level. She retired from playing at this elite level in 2016.
Throughout her rugby career, Dana received many team awards, was selected to the Northeast Rugby Union 15s Developmental Team, and played with Atlantis 7s Rugby. In 2002, she won silver with the NYC region 7s team at the New York State Games. In 2009, she won gold at the National All Star Championship 7s tournament as a member of the NRU 7s Select Side. She is no stranger to playing beside and against USA Eagles, and has been fortunate to experience top-level coaching.
Dana is also a certified personal trainer, a Level 1 rugby referee, and a USA Rugby Level 200 coach. She is enthusiastic about giving back to the program responsible for all of these great memories.
