The Richard Sexton Scholarship

Richard Sexton was a pillar of the early UT Rugby club. His efforts on and off the field were critical to the success the club had in that era. Richard was willing to do whatever it took to help the club. Playing the game, washing jerseys, serving various officers' positions- nothing was too much to help the fledgling organization. He loved the game of rugby, the University of Tennessee, and the club. Even after his graduation, he keenly followed the progress of the team. Richard was also involved with rugby after graduation, playing with a metropolitan side and serving various positions with the early local unions.

Richard Sexton met his demise in an industrial accident in 1980. As a tribute to his life and to further his interest in helping the UTRFC, the Richard Sexton Memorial Scholarship Fund was established by his widow, Susan, Bill Peterson, Bob Miller and Chris Finch in that same year. This scholarship is an award to worthy club members who exemplify Richard's effort, enthusiasm, and commitment to the UTRFC. Since the first award in 1981 for $200 to one individual, 55 scholarships have been awarded to 41 players. In recent years, the average scholarship award has been between $750 to $1250. For a complete list of recipients,see below.

Total donations to the fund in its 22 years of existence have totaled almost $46,000. The total value of the fund is now over $86,000, as it is invested by the university's money management group. The Richard Sexton Scholarship Fund is an endowment, as are most scholarship funds, which means gifts are made from the interest on the total amount of the fund each year. The total amount of money distributed to players over the life of the fund is $38,000!!