I am from Downingtown, Pennsylvania and I've been playing sports since I was five years old. I wrestled and played soccer for both club and high school for 10 years. I ultimately fell in love with playing rugby and have been playing the sport for the past 14 years. In high school, our team won states and went to nationals which was an amazing experience. I also played rugby for the Coast Guard Academy as an undergrad. I'm currently an active duty Coast Guard Lieutenant.

Rugby is the best combination of mental, emotional, and physical toughness. It's a possession oriented sport and requires teamwork and coordination. Rugby has taught me invaluable life lessons that translate to my schoolwork, relationships, work, and leadership. I started playing for the physicality and kept playing because it's been the most accepting community of any sport I've played. I've never played for a club or met a rugby player I haven't gotten along with. I wish that Stanford would consider making Men and Women's Rugby a varsity sport. I believe they could do some serious recruiting and be a top national contender. 

I chose to attend Stanford after studying at the Coast Guard Academy because I wanted to get the best education I could, so I applied to the top Electrical Engineering Universities. In addition to Stanford, I was really interested in living in California as I had grown up and worked on the East Coast my entire life. I received my Master's of Science in Electrical Engineering with an emphasis on control and optimization in 2020. Stanford Rugby has helped me take a break from school work and letting my mind decompress, which I extremely enjoy. I have been fortunate enough to not have any difficulties balancing work and school, but I know many do. Although I didn't have an issue with balancing work and school, the first quarter was quite an adjustment after taking a two year hiatus between undergrad/grad school. My biggest academic achievement is graduating from Stanford.

At Stanford I've only played for one year, but I was named Best Back of the rugby team. For those who are not familiar, Rugby is split into Forwards and Backs, generally based on size and speed respectively. I also was a vice-captain of the Stanford Rugby team. The following are my accomplishments from High School and Undergrad Club.

Downingtown Rugby Football Club (Pennsylvania) 2005-2011:
2010: State Champions, 8th Place National Tournament HS Boys Rugby
2011: State Finalist 2nd Place
United States Coast Guard Academy Rugby 2012-2016 (Division II Collegiate Rugby):
2012: New England Rugby Conference Champions 
2013: 6th Place National
2015: New England Rugby Conference 2nd Place
2015: 11th Place Nationals: Top DII National Player, Top DII Gamebreaker, and NECRC All
2016: 7's 8th Place Nationals

Besides playing rugby and working, I enjoy riding and working on my motorcycle and car. I also build computers, cook, travel (27 countries), garden, lift weights, brew beer, play video games, read, foster kittens/dogs for the ASPCA, and play frisbee. 

If I were to take away a life lesson from my experiences it would be that everything you do is a habit, so build strong habits and plan your life and goals out. Success is mostly determined by determination, not inherent abilities. Never quit, never let anyone tell you what you can achieve in life, and stand up for yourself. You learn the most about yourself during adversity. I also wish I had known as a grad student (engineering) to review undergrad material (Linear algebra) as that would have made the transition much easier. I also wish I had been more relaxed and not held myself to unrealistically high standards. Failure is okay sometimes and everything will work out in the end if you want it to. There are many resources at your disposal, don't be afraid to reach out and use them.

- Stephen Palmieri, 20'