4 Min read

Army Rugby Honors Alumni Match in Aldie, VA

Old Boys Army Ruggers Beat Navy

Bawdy ballad & Army songs

Poetry for emergencies

Ages 13 and up

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AVAILABLE ON PODCAST

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At a rugby match, fans won’t be suprised to hear the words that come off the pitch.

The language has to match the occasion.

The Army rugby song is meant to be a secret. Though it’s the kind of open secret you can search for online. You could hear bits and pieces from the huddle of gray beards at the Army Navy Honors Alumni match at Stan’s Farm in Aldie, Virginia this weekend. Stan loves to host the veteran event of master ruggers.

Former Coach Mike Mahan explained that he tried to build a fiery spirit on the collegiate Army team with this bawdy ballad.

” . . .because the cadets sort of loved the rebel brand that gave them. I don’t know if any of them talked about the song they sing before matches, but nobody’s supposed to know what it says because it uses foul language. But essentially, it declares themselves the Scum of the Earth. And, you know, that’s all about, ‘Hey, nobody cares about us. If we’re going to succeed, we’re going to succeed on our own.’ And that was something I thought was great.”

Source: The National Maul substack by Martin Pengelly

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The Old Boys rugby players–50+ years old–circled up.

They chanted colorful lines that went something like this.

I couldn’t find the lyrics and my husband wouldn’t tell me. He echoed his old Coach Mahan’s words about not sharing them–inappropriate for mixed company. He hadn’t played rugby in decades and said he’d forgotten the song until they huddled up.

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All three of our children made it for the game, driving and flying in.

Their father had coached or cheered them on in their athletic pursuits from gradeschool through college. Here was a chance to witness the old man in action, return advice from the sidelines, and soak up Army Rugby and meet the old grads.

My husband’s rationale for not dying during the game or needing medical evacuation: the old boys allowed ongoing subs and the halves were shortened. As it turned out, Army barely fielded a team; the locals said the Roosters (host club) would make up the 15 players. He and his friends didn’t come off the field. Then the 35s said they needed him in the next match.

My son brought his father a beer at the half, when he stumbled to the sidelines.

Army Old Boys beat Navy.

My kids watched their dad tackle and move in the 50s match, then limp around in the 35s to fill a hole in the line. The West Point graduates did the Rocket cheer when Army scored.

Everyone sang God Bless America after the matches were played.

Then Navy sang its alma mater. And then Army sang–because Army beat Navy.

The winner sings second.

All of the graudates joined the old ruggers and sang along.

The songs united players and fans.

The ruggers huddled and sang at the start. At the end everyone sang God Bless America, and then the Long Gray Line sang the alma mater.

The winner sings second.

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FOOTNOTES

*Martin Pengelly, “‘More like a passion’: Remembering Mike Mahan, the Coach Who Built Army Rugby,” The National Maul, November 14, 2025.

*POST with details on Alumni Match (over 50s Old Boys) on Navy Rugby Alumni Association News

Saturday, March 28 1100 Army Navy Alumni Match 30 Minutes over 50’s, 30 Minutes over 35’s, 30 Minutes Open

1300 Roosters vs World at Pitch – Social at the Pitch-extraordinary affair!!

1700 Meet at local brew pub for additional Social camaraderie.

2026 5th Annual Army Navy Rugby “Honors” Alumni Match is scheduled for Saturday, March 28th at Stan’s Farm (22006 James Monroe Hwy, Aldie VA 20105). We are planning a full weekend. WE NEED PLAYERS!

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