The First Decade by S.G.B. Tennant, Jr.

An anecdotal history by S.G.B. Tennant, Jr. can be read in the PDF “The First Decade”. Below is a summary of the founding clubs and defining moments in our history. You can also view the presentation at the Inaugural 2016 Hall of Fame where we celebrated inductees and the “founding clubs”. 2016 TRU Summit Hall of Fame Presentation.

1968

Baylor Med Dr. Grover Bagby Dr. Ralph Rucker
Baylor Medical (Baylor University of College Medicine) - 1967
Baylor Medical (Baylor University of College Medicine) – 1967
Galveston Medical / UTMB Dr. Larry Priano Ken Long
Galveston Medical / UTMB - 1977
Galveston Medical / UTMB – 1977
Austin RFC Al Hagan Nat Davis
Austin RFC – 1968
Austin RFC – 1968

1969

South African Roger Boos (at Texas A&M) River University Ira Gruber Dallas Football “Texans” (Dallas RFC) Dr. William Woodfin Andy Csvenko
Dallas RFC Constitution - 1969
Dallas RFC Constitution – 1969
Houston Rugby Club Wayne Baxter Jim Savage Lee Garner Gail Tennant Houston hosted and won the first Lone Star Invitational Tournament in November of 1969. Texas Rugby Football Union Wayne Baxter S.G.B. Tennant Jr.

1971

Dallas Harlequins RFC Nelson Spencer Texas Society of Rugby Referees Wayne Baxter Tony Ivan-Smith J.A. McDonald Frank Van Lear

1972

Champagnat Tour of Texas Carlos Puentes

1973

The TRU had grown again and divided into 20 clubs: Northern Countries: Dallas RFC and Dallas Alpha RFC Denton Lions RFC Ft. Sill Gunners RFC Ft. Worth RFC Harlequins RFC Wildebeeste R.C.C. Midland Counties: Austin RCFC Black and Gold Kingsville RFC Saint Edwards RFC San Antonio RFC Texas A&M RFC White and Maroon Southern Counties: Baylor University Medical School RFC Galveston RFC Houston RFC Huntsville Volunteers (Sam Houston State Univ.) RFC Old Boys RFC Gold and Blue Rice University RFC Sportspage Western Counties: El Paso RFC Univ. of Texas of the Permian Basin (Odessa) RFC This included the formation of the first Women’s side: Zulu Warriors RFC This year also boasted the first Men’s Select Side team who faced a team from Nairobi, Kenya.

1975

Western RFU was created and included the Beehive RFU, the Eastern Rockies RFU, the Rio Grande RFU and the Heart of American RFU. Nelson Spencer S.G.B. Tennant Jr. Formation of USA Rugby RFU

1976

Our first International caps were earned by Barry Walter (Houston Old Boys RFC) and Manus O’Donnell (Houston RFC).

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