History
Alamo City Rugby Football Club (ACRFC) was founded in 1983, by a group of veteran players who were interested in promoting rugby to the city of San Antonio, Texas. These nine men (listed below) recruited an assortment of local talent, both new and old, and quickly set themselves out as a preeminent squad among Texas rugby.
In the Spring of 1984, Alamo City joined the Fiesta Commission, and as such, has since hosted the Alamo City RFC Fiesta 7's Rugby Tournament, annually. This tournament, held each April during "Fiesta San Antonio," has been recognized as one of the elite 7's Summer Series tournaments, drawing representation from not only the local area, but from surrounding states and tributaries as well. Additionally, many European clubs, including British Caldonia, Twickingham, Imber Court, England's Royal Engineers, Ireland's Arklow, and The Old Hirelings of France, have traveled to San Antonio and participate in the tournament.
In 1986, the club obtained the land for Bowie Field, which was named after Dr. Neil Bowie for his never-ending support to Alamo City RFC and its members. The ten-acre sight has a regulation rugby playing pitch and a lighted practice pitch. This facility is San Antonio’s first and only of its kind.
Over the years, the club has grown to support High School, Collegiate, Masters (known globally as "The Old Boys”), Military, and currently, a Men’s division. High School sides for Alamo City have received 2nd, 3rd, and 6th place finishes in the National High School Championships, under the leadership and coaching staff of Alamo City. Currently, the club provides support in many forms to both the San Antonio Riverters womens rugby team, and the San Antonio Los Toros youth team, which is headed by former Alamo City coach Jason Liddle.
ACRFC is well-known in the city of San Antonio for its contributions to community service, by holding events and assisting in local charity fund raisers. The club has increased its ability to contribute to the community with their affiliation to the Harper and Shamrock Society, Target 90 Goals for San Antonio, and other local organizations. Alamo City RFC has a known and respected annual presence by which, members of the club deliver toys to less-fortunate children in support of the San Antonio Elf Louise Programme. H.E.B and GLI Distributing have also assisted by giving generous contributions to Alamo City RFC. Finally, ACRFC members often donate their time to the San Antonio Food Bank as volunteers.
*Alamo City Rugby Football Club has achieved its 501(c)-3 status as a non-profit corporation, and as such receives exemption from state franchise and sales tax laws.
Founding Fathers of Alamo City RFC
Below holds a list of the nine men who founded Alamo City Rugby Football Club. Should you see one of these men in public, thank them, shake their hand and offer to buy them a pint.
John Canty Dean DeSoto
Rick Gillham Bill Harmon
Tony Henry Joe Ludwig
Tim Murphy Shane McGibbon
Art Wallace
Presidents of Alamo City RFC
Below holds a list of men, past and present, who have served as Presidents of Alamo City RFC. These men have shown their leadership abilities on and off the pitch, and as such, they have served their club honorably.
Tim Murphy served honorably from 1983 to 1986.
Bill Harmon served honorably from 1986 to 1989.
Steve Cichowski served honorably from 1989 to 1990.
Damon Peterson served honorably from 1990 to 1991.
Ken Helmer served honorably from 1991 to 1992.
John Traeger served honorably from 1992 to 1993.
Bill Harmon served a second term honorably from 1993 to 1997.
Ben Barton served honorably from 1997 to 1999.
Pete Mulhearn served honorably from 1999 to 2002.
Larry Allen served honorably from 2002 to 2004.
Kris Newman served honorably from 2004 to 2007.
Andy Still served honorably from 2007 to 2008.
Ben Barton served a second term, honorably from 2008 to 2011
Brandon Borel served honorably from 2011 to 2012
Ben Barton served a third term honorably from 2011-2014
Kris Newman served a president for a long time.
Patrick Costello has served as president since 2019.
Captains of Alamo City RFC
Below listed are the men who have served as Alamo City RFC captains. They have shown their ability to balance leadership and athleticism on the pitch.
John Atkins 1983 - 1984
Art Wallace 1984 - 1986
Kevin Howell 1986 - 1989
Kenny Helmer 1989 - 1990
Mark Traeger 1990 - 1991
Gordie O'Rourke 1991 - 1992
Andy Still 1992 - 1994
Al Garcia 1994 - 1996
Paul Harris 1996 - 2001
Brandon Finn 2001 - 2003
Mark Chacon 2003 - 2013
Nick Harrell 2013 - 2014
Kevin Kemp 2014 - 2015
Phillip Gonzales 2015 - 2016
Ryan Rackley 2016 - 2017
Michael Stewart 2017 - 2018
Sam Feldman 2018 - 2019
Daryl Viscusi 2019 - 2020
Houston Bashus 2020 - 2021
Hall of Fame
Many have played for Alamo City, but few have shown the commitment, dedication, and athleticism to be considered for the Hall of Fame. Beginning in 1993 (on the 10th Anniversary of ACRFC) and continued until 2015, two men were inducted into the Alamo Cirty RFC Hall of Fame. These men are voted on by the club and are recognized during a presentation at the Annual General Meeting (AGM).
Year Inductees
1993 Dr. Neil Bowie & Kevin Howell
1994 Tim Murphy & Steve Cichowski
1995 Pete Lewis & Pete Witecki
1996 Art Wallace & Gordy O'Rorke
1997 Bill Sisoian & Jeff Townsley
1998 Steve Dobson & Andy Ramsey
1999 Al Garcia & Andy Still
2000 Doug Yost & Dr. Ken Helmer
2001 Jeff Erskine & Sam Lopez
2002 Bill Harmon & Matt Nash
2003 Paul Harris & Louis Hernandez
2004 Mark Traeger & John Traeger
2005 Jamie Atkins & Bubba Ortiz
2006 Pete Mulhearn & Shawn Rutledge
2007 Kris Newman & Ben Barton
2008 Roger Castillo & Woody Wilson
2009 Ray Durke & Ben Russo
2010 Larry Romo & Damon Peterson
2011 George Riki & Pierre Gutierrez
2012 Mark Chacon & Shayne Roberson
2013 Bob Jenson & Bobby Ramirez
2014 Ray Abonce & Jay Smith
2015 Larry Allen & Joe Ludwig
