Alamo City Rugby

Shayne, Ben and everyone else who contributed to the anniversary weekend,

Thank you so much for a memorable weekend! Everything from the team hotel, Alamo photo session, and dinner were well above expectations. Shawn started a tradition at the Menger Bar with a shot of Jack to begin the weekend ...not to mention the ad hoc team meet and greet at the same bar. Understanding the headaches that come with making all of this come together I wanted you to know this old boy really appreciated the effort. I am looking forward to the 30th anniversary and next years MEAT tourney participation, although I am not sure my liver will survive another full blown anniversary for a while.

p.s. I know you really wanted to put on a show for us tourist but we could do without the gun play downtown...I knew it had to be a show because Big Lou never missed a step when the bullets starting flying.

Shawn Rutledge:

Yeah, let me second Tim.
Fine job, boys. Kathy and I really had a great time.

To All Alamo City Players, Family and supporters

For various reasons I was unable to join you in San Antonio to celebrate the outstanding milestone of 25yrs of Alamo City rugby. Despite my physical absence I will be thinking of this reunion/celebration and have no doubt that this significant achievement will be honored to the highest degree.

To take a trip back down memory lane is a real pleasure and is sure to create a smile on my face and hopefully yours.

Significant individuals during my stay in San Antonio and beyond include Doctor's Neil and Phylis Bowie, Bill Harmon Tim Murphy, Kevin Howell, Doug Yost, Louie Hernandez, Pete Lewis and Peter Witecki. Many others contributed to making my stay pleasurable, memorable and life changing. Life changing in the fact that I have been happily living in the USA since my arrival in San Antonio.

Like a lot of the foreign based players arriving in Texas and seeing the less than ideal playing conditions, facilities and general resources quickly generated a huge amount of respect for the local players and administrators love, commitment and dedication to our sport. During my tenure with Alamo City several significant events and development occurred. One of the most notable was the acquisition and initial development of the Bowie Field. Another memorable event was the hosting of the national high school rugby playoffs.

Day to day life was always an adventure and sure to be action packed. If it wasn't a ride in the "beast" up to Blanco or Lockhart stopping off for spicy sausage and coffee at the truck stop or barbeque at Black's it was hanging our at Little Caesars pizza for the buffet. The locals never really quite figured out where in the world did always all these weird talking guys had hailed from. Other notable hangouts included Lackland AFB, Sunova Beach, Martha's Ice Pick and Baby Dolls.

Now that I am in my veteran status as a rugby player I can look back at some wonderful memories of my travels and all the influential people who assisted me enjoy those years. Many of them are present at your anniversary weekend and I would like to thank my friends at Alamo City and wish them and the entire club all the very best for many more years to come. If anyone is ever up in the Pacific Northwest feel free to give me a call and I will attempt to duplicate Texas hospitality.