I had never heard my Mom scream like that.  I had just called and told her that I had become the hooker for Texas A&M Rugby Team.  Not ever in her wildest dreams did she think that her long haired, red necked son would stoop to this level to have fun at college.

I did play my first game at hooker, but due to my dazzling speed and semi-crazed aggressiveness, I was moved to flanker.  It was at on one of the most beautiful rugby fields in America, Aspen, that I was moved to scrumhalf.  That move lasted for over 30 years.

Blessed with incredible teammates at A&M, we won the national Championship my senior year and compiled a record of 123-5.  Not bad for a bunch of High School football players.  Over the next 25 years I played with Houston RFC, Houston Heathens, Houston Area Touring side, Austin Blacks, Texas Rugby Union, Western Rugby Union, Waterloo, Texas XXXs, and the infamous Pflugville Area Rugby Touring Side (PFARTS) formed by The Coach, Al Niece. 

PFARTS was what rugby is truly all about.  It was a group of hard playing guys that respected and enjoyed rugby for what it is.  It did not hurt that they also liked to have a good time doing it.  The tours to Canada and California left a lasting impression on us, as well as they teams that we played.

My wife, Julie, and I have lived in Eanes ISD for 28 years and our son, Collin, graduated from Westlake in 2008.  He is attending UT-Austin majoring in Chemistry.  I'm excited about rugby at Westlake and having the opportunity to coach these fine young men.