Portal:1977 Spring Men/Intro

Early in the year, Squadron Leader Alderton presented the shield of RAF Cranwell to the Commandant, BG Beck, which marked the beginning of the rugby club as an integral part of the USAFA, We had just received permission from the Commandant for the cadets to wear the Eddie the Eagle badge (designed by Roger Smith) on their A Jackets. There was no way that the Establishment were going to allow Fat Fred to be worn. As expected, the new patch caused a good deal of friction in the club. Half the first fifteen thought we had “betrayed” the club’s tradition of an extra mural existence. The second XV and others in the club liked the idea of wearing rugger patch which continued to be worn for some time.