Portal:1999 15
From Mike Stephenson (AR): One of my best memories is this tournament. We had invited GEN Schoomaker, CINC SOCOM, to present the championship trophy. I was on the SOCOM staff at the time and was coordinating everything. I received a phone call Saturday afternoon from a COL in the CINC’s office confirming times and that Schoomaker would be at the match and present the trophy. I was also given additional guidance, which will remain confidential. On Sunday, AF was beating Army the entire game. Throughout in the match there was a strong cross wind from sideline to sideline. Late in the match AF was attacking, the ball was turned over and Army attempted a kick to slow momentum and clear it. Unfortunately an unnamed Army player, who resembled Dave Duffy, was in front of the kicker and the kicked ball hit him. AF chose to go for post on the resulting penalty. The AF kicker, Larry will remember his name, was also the kicker for the Combined Services. So expectations were high he was going to put it through with ease, despite the crosswind. The wind caught the ball, Army caught it on the fly and had ten or so phases down the pitch led by team Captain Mike Legg. Once around the 22 meter line the ball went to Eric Hall and he put a drop kick between the post. The final whistle blew and GEN Schoomaker presented the Trophy to Army.
Monday morning I got summoned to see the COL who gave me the guidance. He congratulated the team and also said the CINC would like to talk with me. I told GEN Schoomaker I’d drafted a letter for the COS to sign, who was BG Daily, to send to the Army MWR BG. GEN Schoomaker suggested to put his signature on it and send it to each service MWR equivalents. Well that was probably the fastest staffing ever as I faxed the CINC signed letter to my MWR rep that afternoon and for one of the few times ever. He called me. I had prepped him for a letter from the COS and he was overtaken with GEN Schoomaker’s letter. I informed him all the other service MWR BG’s were receiving these prior to him taking it to his BG. Fortunately in two weeks all the MWR BG’s were having a conference where Rugby was put on the agenda and passed unanimously for DoD funding. The Coast Guard was included in the competition because of the history of InterService rugby and the Coast Guard’s strong program.
Yes, General Schoomaker and General Fogleman used their influence to push rugby to the Armed Services Varsity Sport level.
