View source for History of our patches

==History of Men's Team Patches==


[[File:usafaRugbyPatch1.jpg | x100px|thumb|left|1970-1976]]  An appropriate phrase for the era (“mud blood and beer”) originate in the lyrics of a Johnny Cash song “A Boy Named Sue” (1969 album “At San Quentin”) and 1971 grad Dave Porter used it in one of his drawings:  (from Dave Porter)  "My recollection is a bit hazy.  I did a lot of cartooning (toga decorations, calendars, the magazine, etc.) and as I recall I designed a patch in 1969 or 1970 but don’t remember it going into production.  There was an egg shaped character in the center with a rugby ball under one arm and holding a frothy beer in the other hand.  He had a large red crack in his head and was wearing a blue and white jersey.  The words – “USAFA Rugby - in the mud, the blood, and the beer” was around the outside of the patch.  Al may remember more –… Hope this helps.  I think the cartoon first appeared not as a patch but as a small cartoon in the cadet calendar from 1969-1970, and then the drawing from the calendar was used to make the first patches."


[[File:usafaRugbyPatch2.png | x100px|thumb|left|1976-1991]]  Designed by Roger Smith.  (From Gordon Alderton)  "When I took over from Tex in 76 (I think), the Rugby Club had a patch  (Fat Fred)  which exemplified a philosophy, which was at odds with that of the USAFA, At the same time there was a wish, especially amongst the junior members, for permission to wear a patch on their A jackets.
            I realised that that would never be achieved with Fat Fred and by adopting a new patch I saw this as an opportunity to bring the rugby club in from the cold. Accordingly, in the 75-76 season, I asked the cadets to design a patch which would achieve the two objectives. I should add that the majority of the First XV were opposed to the change and refused to participate in the competition. The best design came from Roger Smith and, armed with copy of it, asked the Commandant, BGen Beck, for permission to adopt this proposed new patch with permission to wear it on their A jackets. I was invited to make a presentation to the Commandant’s Board (I’m not sure of the correct title of this august body) and met a good deal of opposition from the members. Their objections were largely based on antipathy to the Academy Rugby Club, because of the extra- mural philosophy it engendered.
            Gen Beck gave the proposed patch his whole hearted support and surprise, surprise, the opposition melted away. Thus the Zoomies got their patch and we made the first steps towards official recognition. Initially, as I said the majority of Fourth Year Cadets boycotted the new patch, but by the end of the first season opposition has disappeared.  We did have the badge when I took the squad to RAF College Cranwell and by July 77 it was being worn by virtually all members of the club.
            Incidentally, I cannot recall whether Roger & I ever decided what sort of bird it was. I think I am right in that I thought it was an eagle (representing the USA) and Roger thought it was a falcon (representing USAFA), but equally it might have been the other way round.  Whatever species it was. it brought the Zoomies in from the cold  and it has developed from there in your capable hands. So you  can thank Roger for his design and General Beck for his common sense approach to the introduction of “Eddie the Eagle”  


[[File:usafaRugbyPatch3.png | x100px|thumb|left|1991-1999]]

[[File:usafaAlumniPatch6.jpeg | x100px|thumb|left|1900-2001]]

[[File:usafaRugbyPatch4.jpg | x100px|thumb|left|2001-2009]]

[[File:usafaRugbyPatch5.jpg | x100px|thumb|left|2009-2012]]

[[File:usafaRugbyPatch6.jpeg | x100px|thumb|left|2012-present]]



==History of Women's Team Patches==

[[File:usafaRugbyPatch2.png| x100px|thumb|left|Unknown]]