Who are we?
The SHSU Rugby Football Club, the Volunteers, was started in Spring of 1973 by graduate student Dewitte Lindsey, a Huntsville native. Coached by Dr. P.E. Parotti, a Naval Academy rugger and SHSU English professor, that team went 4-6 with a first 15 sans prior playing experience. They established a tradition of fitness and physical play that carries through to today. The Rugby Alumni of Sam Houston, RASH, is comprised of former players as well as supporters of the sport. No one back in '73 would have guessed that the Sam club would be fast approaching it's 40th anniversary!
RASH stays active in their support of rugby at SHSU and is currently sponsoring 3 competitive player scholarships and has initiated the Lindsey-Parotti Endowment Fund.
Memberships are available to anyone who would like to support SHSU Rugby. See the membership dues/donations page for more information. Your support is appreciated and will be used to support scholarships, team events and needs.
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News
Hall of Fame Award Ceremony Video!
A DVD of the SHSU RFC Hall of Fame awards ceremony is available now. It captures the often funny and sometimes poignant presentations for the inductees from the nearly four decades of Sam Rugby. Buy it now before they are all gone! Only $10 includes shipping.
Hall of Fame Awards - The SHSU Rugby Football Club hosted well over 200 current ruggers, alumni ruggers, friends and family for the annual Alumni Rugby Match on a hot Saturday, March 26th. The inaugural class of the Sam Houston Rugby Hall of Fame was announced. Players from each era of Sam rugby had been nominated and were well represented.
Jay Shepard- in memoriam
Omar Sanchez- in memoriam
Mike Mahon- in memoriam
Dr. P. E. Parotti*-Coach of original club
Dewitte Lindsey*-Founder of original club
David Patrizi-in memoriam
Jeff Talley*
Michael Savage*
Aubrey Carter*
Dennis Walker
Richard Johnston*
Dave Snook
* charter member of SHSU RFC
There were several commonalities mentioned during the induction speeches, but one , directed to the current student ruggers, stood out among the rest. And that was the seemingly unbreakable bond that is forged between teammates in that crucible of extreme physical effort tempered among the mud, the blood, and yes…the beer. Ruggers from that early 1973 team remain best friends today, and have made many more from subsequent Sam teams! Dennis Walker said it best, “I came to my first practice on a Tuesday and I found a family.”
The Rugby Alumni of Sam Houston (RASH) is active in giving back to the school and its ruggers. Three scholarships of $1000.00 each are annually funded. The Lindsey-Parotti Endowment has also been established to ultimately assure rugby scholarship funding. Please contact Gary Holub 281-827-3529 or Michael Savage 713-898-0522 for additional information.
Easy Payment of Dues - Pay your dues with PayPal. PayPal allows you to pay your dues with a credit card right here! Take advantage of our new payment options today to pay dues and donate for scholarships. Pay dues here.
Buying T-shirts, caps and other products - Notice the new link to buy products. Purchase Rugby Alumni Sam Houston and sports products. More products being added so come back often.
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PenTown Tens - July 2011
