American Rugby News
NYAC Hall of Fame
(photo by Randall S Mar)
New York, NY – The New York Athletic Club hosted its first annual Hall of Fame dinner Friday night in the big apple. The evening honored two of the club’s founding members, Bob Cullum Sr and Bill Smith.
Both men founded the club in 1973. Smith was a long-time coach at NYAC and Cullum Sr was president of the full New York Athletic Club (the whole club, not just the rugby club). Cullum came from NYRFC where he was a former captain, Smith came from Old Blue and also coached Washington Rugby {1984-86} club while he was living in DC.
Both men had sons who were prominent members of the club. Bob Cullum Jr was a long-time player and an A side member of the NYAC’s 2005 national championship team. Mike and Alex Smith were long-time players for NYAC. Alex played high level rugby in the amateur era in the UK, both before and after his time at NYAC, and Mike played for several years after completing his wrestling scholarship at James Madison University.
Bob Cullum Sr is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania which he attended after a tour of duty as a marine fighter pilot in Korea. He played football at U Penn. Bill Smith is a graduate of Columbia University where he was a wrestler and he went on to have a career as a financial writer.
Both men still regularly attend games and are still part of the rugby club at the NYAC. Around 200 guests attended the dinner.
