Our Coaches
Coaches of the State College Rugby Club
All coaches can be reached via email.
Bernie Cantorna
Bernie is the Head Coach of the State High Girls/Boys Rugby Club. He is the elected District Attorney for Centre County. He is married to Dr. Margherita Cantorna and has 2 daughters who both played 4 years of Rugby at State High and Penn State. Elena, the oldest, plays rugby in Seattle and is completing a PhD in Clinical Psychology. Gabriella is a professional rugby player in England, capped USA rugby player, and thinking of going to graduate school.
He played with the Wisconsin Rugby Club from 1987-1998 (Division 2 National Champs 1998), Happy Valley RFC from 1998-2016, and Wisconsin Old Boys 2017 - present.
Bernie has been the club's head coach since 2000. He has also been a coach for Penn State Rugby 2008 - present. He is a Certified USA Rugby Level 300 Coach, IRB Coach Education, and a member of the USA Rugby SOAR Program.
"The rugby program is focused on the personal development and growth of our players. We learn life skills in the context of the game of rugby and our team dynamics. Results follow when everyone strives to be the best they can be as individuals and a team."
Email Bernie
Joel Kuhns
Joel is a former Marine Corps tank officer and foreign security force advisor. He started the State College Rugby Club in 2000 with Bernie. He has played for Penn State, Happy Valley Barbarians, Camp Lejeune Misfits, Dubai Sharks, and has picked up games with teams across the country.
Coach Kuhns was the Head Coach for the Camp Lejeune Misfits in 2009 and is a defensive coach for our club. He is a Certified USA Rugby Level 200 coach.
Joel would like to see players develop mental endurance, teamwork, and a belief in their own strength.
Nick Glantz
Nick is a professional software engineer at Penn State and is a father of five. He is a State High alumnus who played with the rugby club from 2003-2005. He also played with Schuylkill River Exiles in Philadelphia from 2009-2011 after graduating from Penn State.
Coach Glantz is a certified USA Rugby Level 100 and 200 coach. He is a forwards coach for our club.
He would like our players to experience improved teamwork, leadership, and self-reflection skills.
Rachel Peters
Rachel is a mom to Henry and a Registered Nurse with Geisinger. Her current role is with Case Management. Along side nursing, rugby has always been a passion of hers.
She played rugby at State High from 2009-2013. She was captain of the team in 2013. She led the team to Wisconsin for Nationals in 2013. Rachel played for the PA Allstars Rugby Team in 2012 and 2013. She continued her rugby career at Bloomsburg University from 2013-2015. She is a (pending Feb 18th) Level 1 Coach through USA Rugby.
Rachel's goals include team camaraderie, inclusiveness, and physical health/well-being to safely play the sport.
Rebecca Faustina
Rebecca is a Cybersecurity Exercise Planner at General Dynamics Information Technology. She began playing rugby at State High and graduated in 2016. She continued her rugby career at Roger Williams University in Bristol, Rhode Island.
Rebecca volunteers as an assistant coach with the girls rugby team. Her coaching focus area is with the forward pack. Starting during the 2024 season she will also work to develop team goals, accountability, and leadership as the leadership coach.
Rebecca volunteers as an assistant coach with the girls rugby team. Her coaching focus area is with the forward pack. Starting during the 2024 season she will also work to develop team goals, accountability, and leadership as the leadership coach.
Darina Roe
Darina began playing rugby in her freshmen year in high school, and continued to play at Penn State for the women's team.
Darina has volunteered as a coach for the high school girls team since 2023. She also helps out with the local men's rugby team as a coach. She continues to play touch rugby during the summers.
David Van Hoof
Coach DvH is a Cyber Security Strategist at Meta and has been playing rugby for the past 12 years. He started with State High in 2010 and went on to play for Penn State, the US U18 Eagles, and Happy Valley Barbarians.
Coach David will be focused on the back line to help them develop confidence, explosiveness, and trust in their fellow teammates. Coach David will also be the kicking coach for the State High team.
Email David
Josie Eggert
Josie works as a paralegal at a local law firm. She played rugby at State High for all four years. Josie went on to play for West Chester University (Go Rams!) for two seasons before retiring.
Josie has volunteered as an assistant coach for the high school girls team since 2023. Her goals include creating a good team dynamic, instilling some life lessons, and building a love for the game.