TRU Announces HOF Class of 2019

Outstanding players, coaches, administrators, TRU pioneers, or those with a mix of all these traits make up the Hall of Fame Class of 2019.

The late Ryche Parker was the driving force behind the storied state champions Houston Heathens of the late 70s and was perhaps one to the toughest players ever to take the field in Texas or anywhere.  He captained the Western RFU selects, was a fixture on the TRU select side, was a trialist for the USA national team and played on several other all-star sides.  In addition to leading the Heathens, he also played for the Houston RFC and English sides Northampton, Kettering and Midland Counties.  His life was tragically cut short in 1980, but his tenacity on the field will not be forgotten.

David McPhail served the TRU as president for seven years and guided it through massive changes during a period of great growth.  He also was a long-time member of the Western RFU Board of Directors and served on the USA Rugby Congress and as a Board Member of Rugby Texas.  He frequently held leadership roles in these and other rugby organizations, mostly as Treasurer.  He began his playing career at Southwest Texas State (making the TRU Collegiate Selects) before moving on to Austin RFC, and then to Houston RFC where he was instrumental in the transition during its merger with the Old Boys to create HARC.  He has made a major mark in 7s, serving as the Western RFU Sevens Program Director for many years, and as a manager of the fabled Atlantis 7s side.  He has also refereed and served as a coach. 

Krista McFarren helped the USA win the inaugural Women’s World Cup in 1991 and as an Eagle has been capped numerous times, representing the USA in both 15s and 7s all over the globe and at three World Cups.  While living in San Antonio before women’s rugby in Texas took off, she was a long distance commuter playing for the New Orleans Half Moons which played in Texas leagues at the time.  She holds a Level 200 coaching certificate and served as an assistant coach on the USA Eagles staff and has served in several administrative roles on the national level.

Michael Engelbrecht has made his mark as a player and a coach. Michael was a key player for the dominant team of his era, the Dallas Harlequins, was a Texas and West All Star, and also played multiple times for the Classic Eagles competing in the World Rugby Classic in Bermuda. Retired from playing, Michael poured time and energy back into the game through continued development as a coach. Michael’s coaching credits include numerous USA High School All American and USA U-20s national team sides, the Dallas Harlequins, TRU Collegiate and High School All Stars, WRFU Selects and is currently the coach at the University of North Texas and defensive coach for the USA U20 national team.  Michael is a founding member of the highly regarded Eagle Impact Rugby Academy with a mission to “identify and develop the best young rugby players in America”.

Ralph Corry defines the term “TRU Pioneer.”  For over a decade, Ralph served as the Union’s secretary or treasurer (sometimes at the same time) during a period when the union had only two officers and keeping up with every team in the state pre-internet was an arduous task.  He served with no less than five TRU presidents, providing the consistency, oversight and leadership the young Union required to survive.  Ralph began his playing career in 1973 with the old Sportspage RFC before moving to the Houston Old Boys and then to what would become his “home” club, the Houston Strikers. 

In addition to these new members, the 1984 Dallas Harlequins will honored at the Hall of Fame induction banquet late this summer (details to be announced very soon).  The 84 ‘Quins were the first team from Texas to win a national championship and were the dominant club in Texas during this era.

We welcome all of these outstanding additions to the Hall of Fame.  Congratulations!

TRU Announces HOF Class of 2018

The Texas Rugby Union Hall of Fame will welcome nine new members to its ranks at its August 25 induction banquet in Houston.  Those selected are a good mix of great players, administrators, referees, pioneers and the first Father/Son inductees.  After an intense review period, development of the final ballot from those nominated, spirited discussion and very tight voting from top to bottom, the Class of 2018 members elected are:

Ed Brown, Houston Rugby Club, TRU Selects (Captain), Western USA Selects, former Rice coach, currently a coach at Cy-Fair HS.

Mike Geach, former player/coach in Houston and Dallas, USA “A” Panel referee, USA and Texas referee association leader, and national referee evaluator.

La Thaddeus Hill, Sr., Fort Worth RFC, Dallas RFC, over sixty USA 7s caps, Texas and Western USA Selects (7s and XVs), USA Defensive 7s Player of the Year, 1995.

Andrew Locke, St. Thomas HS, West Point.  USA U-19s (World Cup), Collegiate All American, USA All Military (player and coach), USA 7s and XVs player pool, USA 7s ass’t coach, Assistant USA Women’s Team coach at Rio Olympics.

Lowell Locke, Houston Old Boys Rugby Club, TRU President (six years), founder of Houston area junior high program, coach at St. Ambrose Middle School, assistant at St. Thomas HS, coach at Westside HS, coach and program director at St. Pius X HS.

Dr. Julia “Jules” McCoy, two-time USA Women’s 7s Head Coach (Rugby World Cup medalists), coach of Little Rock RFC men’s and women’s programs (7s and XVs), founder of ARPTC national championship 7s team.  Noted neurosurgeon.

Kirk Tate, Austin Huns RFC, Austin RFC, current TRU president.  Coaching stints at UT, San Marcos, and just named coach of St. Edwards University.

Bill “Dynamo” Taute, Austin RFC (president), Texas A&M, Houston Old Boys RFC.  Western USA Selects (five years), TRU Selects (10 years), youth coach.  Won gold medal with USA at 1985 World Maccabiah games (Man of the Match against South Africa in final, Team USA MVP).

Ron Watson, Dallas Harlequins, Fort Worth RFC, Hawaii Harlequins, President of Hawaii RFU, Weatherford HS (National Champions), long time TRU officer.  Member of the USA Rugby Congress.

In addition to these inductees, the other outstanding candidates on the final ballot were Bob Fleet (SFA, deceased), Nick Marketos (Plano, deceased), Stewart Morris (Houston), Ryche Parker (Houston Heathens, deceased), and Brett Taylor (Dallas Harlequins). The Hall of Fame voters would like to thank all the nominators, candidates and supporters of each person nominated this year (including those not named above).

The current members of the Hall of Fame are: Gandolf Burrus, David Chambers, Chris Chefchis, Chuck Erhardt (deceased), Lee Garner (deceased), Dave Jenkins, Jeff Kolberg, Robert Latham, Paul Mabry, Tracy Moens, Al Niece, Ian Nixon, Richard Prim, Carlos Puentes, Alan Sharpley, Nelson Spencer, Gail Borden Tennant, Jim Wolfinger, Bill Woodfin, and Barry Waite.

TRU Announces HOF Class of 2017

On behalf of the Texas Rugby Union it is our distinct pleasure to congratulate the second class of inductees to the Texas Rugby Union Hall of Fame:

  • Ehrhardt III, Charles – Houston Rugby Club
  • Garner, Lee – Houston Rugby Club
  • Kolberg, Jeff – Dallas RFC
  • Latham, Bob – Dallas Harlequins
  • Mabry, Paul – Galveston and Texas XXX’s
  • Niece, Al – Austin RFC
  • Nixon, John V. (Ian) – Dallas Harlequins
  • Puentes, Carlos – Austin RFC
  • Wolfinger, James – St. Thomas High School RFC
  • Woodfin, William – Dallas RFC

2016 Inaugural Class for the Texas Rugby Union Hall of Fame

On behalf of the Texas Rugby Union it is our distinct pleasure to congratulate the Inaugural class of inductees into the Texas Rugby Union Hall of Fame – 2016:

  • Gail Tennant
  • Alan Sharpley
  • Nelson Spencer
  • Chris Chefchis
  • Richard Prim
  • Dave Chambers
  • Gandolf Burrus
  • Tracy Moens
  • Dave Jenkins
  • Barry Waite