A Legacy Lives In ‘Old Maroon’
2024 marks a year of celebration for the Texas A&M Sport Clubs Association — 50 years ago, the Sport Clubs program was first established under the Department of Recreational Sports and the five decades since have seen the introduction, development and success of over three dozen student-led clubs within the program.
One such club is the Texas A&M Rugby Club, which on Feb. 24 celebrated the 50th anniversary of its first national title within the Sport Clubs program. Not only is this a historic achievement for the Rugby Club, but it also marks the first national championship won by any club under the program.
In commemoration of this hallmark anniversary, the 1974 class of Texas A&M Rugby returned to Aggieland from across the country last month to reminisce about the good ol’ times, donate memorabilia to the Sport Clubs Association, and watch the current Rugby Club take on Texas Tech in a head-to-head matchup at the Penberthy Rec Sports Complex.
“We try to get up here once a year, whoever can get together, to watch the games,” said Billy Goodrich, president of the 1974 Rugby Club. “A group of us got together to form Old Maroon — people that graduated — and we donate money to the team to keep them going.”
Reunion Day, Watching The Aggies Win
The day began with a reunion at the Student Recreation Center. Members of the 1974 class and their families congregated at the Rec to sign the game ball from the national championship game. With the championship trophy in hand, the team reflected on favorite college memories before delivering remarks of thanks to the Sport Clubs program and enshrining game memorabilia within the Sport Clubs trophy case at the Rec.
Old Maroon then traveled over to the Penberthy Rec Sports Complex to watch the Aggies play Texas Tech. After a solid 29-0 victory, Aggies young and old came together to talk shop about rugby over a barbecue lunch beneath the shade of the Penberthy pavilion.
“Success breeds success,” said Aaron Calhoun, captain of the 1974 Rugby Club. “That’s been a very, very good asset for A&M, just the fact that they’ve had good coaches and a good situation.”
With 50 years under the belt of Texas A&M Rugby, they are one of the oldest clubs in the Sport Clubs program. Despite the years, one thing about the club never goes out of style: camaraderie.
“Rugby was my way to find people here,” said Cameron Cuilla, president of the current Rugby Club. “Almost all of my close friends here I met through rugby… it’s just an easy way to find a community here.”
“The people that were around you were really focused, really enthusiastic about the university, and that rubbed into everything else with the university,” added Calhoun.
With a legacy of excellence branded on the Texas A&M Rugby crest, the club continues to advance into greater and greater achievements. Earlier this year, the club played the University of Texas and won with an astounding 107-0 finish.
With each victory, the Texas A&M Rugby Club is supported by the Aggies of Old Maroon, who made their own marks in the legacy of Texas A&M Rugby and say they’ll continue to support today’s athletes as they reach new heights.
