The XXXs' Story

The club was founded (apparently before the advent of color photography) by Nelson Spencer, Art Simmons and Robert Ahola in Dallas with input from Maxwell Evans in Houston. Robert was, at that time, the President of the Dallas Old Hat, Nelson had a long career and lasting association with the Dallas Harlequins RFC and between them they recruited Maxwell Evans of the Houston Old Tin Can to join forces and form an all-Texas Senior side. Prior to his association with the Old Tin Can Maxwell Evans was a founding member of the Houston Old Boys RFC. It was agreed that Robert Ahola would serve as the first Poo-Bah (President, Captain, Coach and general dog's body) since everyone else claimed to be too busy - an excuse that is no longer accepted as a reason for declining the 'honor'.

The first logo, shown above, top right, and currently on the team belt buckles, was designed by Nelson, Art and Robert. Loosely based on the Dos Equis Mexican beer can, with an extra X added, the three XXXs with the V placed beneath formed the Roman numeral 35 representing the 35 years and over age limit. In addition the strategic placement of the V under the middle X created, when reading down, the Roman numeral 15 for the traditional Rugby XV team members. The rose, of course, represents the historical Yellow Rose of Texas.

The original Club Colors consisted of white jerseys, white shorts and yellow/gold socks with the single yellow rose emblem over the left breast on the front of the jerseys. This was readily agreed upon because the newly formed Texas International Rugby Side would then closely resemble that icon of international Rugby, the English National Side with their all white strip and the red rose of Lancaster on their jerseys. This idea was considered a fitting satire of our abilities, however, the English, who we later played in London in 1985 disagreed and promptly slaughtered us infinity to ten. Following this ignominious defeat the colors were changed to blue jerseys and white shorts but with the yellow rose intact. Much later, in 1997, the kit was changed again to red jerseys with white shorts and blue socks - but still with the yellow rose.

The yellow rose emblem for the jerseys was a result of a fortuitous trip, by Nelson and his young bride, to a sewing and fabric shop whereupon he spotted the now world famous, and universally feared, image on a rack of embroidered patches. He picked up a few and players sewed them onto their white jerseys for the first ever match and the rest, as they say, is history.

 Following upon the success of the first trip to the Long Beach Golden Oldies Festival in 1981and the exhilaration of finding so many other geriatrics whose senility made them believe that they could still play rugby the team was compelled to become a regular participant in future Golden Oldies Festivals and other senior tournaments throughout the United States and around the world.

Between 1981 and 1983, in preparation for their trip to the third Golden Oldies in Sidney, Australia, the Texas XXXs RFC assembled for cameo appearances at the High Desert Japanese Bath Classic in Santa Fe, New Mexico, the Buffalo Bayou Mud Bowl in Houston, Texas and the Lone Star and Moon Pie Festival in Austin, Texas.

Since then the Texas XXXs have tried to maintain a tour schedule of two trips a year outside Texas, one in the Spring and one in the Fall. This has resulted in a venerable list of matches in tournaments and invitational events all over the United States and around the world. Details of some of these trips can be viewed on other pages of this web site.