It's hard to imagine anyone appreciating a Cal varsity letter more than former rugby player Robert Paylor.

Now, he'll be overseeing the appreciation of all Cal varsity letter winners in the future.

Paylor, whose inspirational comeback from a severe spinal cord injury has touched the Cal community across the globe, has been named the executive director of The Big C Society – the nonprofit UC Support Group charged with stewarding the standards for earning a varsity letter at Cal along with networking and spotlighting its worldwide varsity alumni community.

"Not only does Rob love the university in a way that most don't, but the university loves him," The Big C Society president and former Cal football player Josef Ruef said. "Rob has the respect of everyone in and around the athletic department and the University, in part because so many people know his story, and have followed his recovery.  The energetic and intellectual manner in which he played rugby is the same inspiring approach he's applied to his recovery, and that makes him a natural standard-bearer for our organization."

Paylor suffered a broken neck during the Varsity Cup Championship in 2017 and was told by doctors he would never walk again, and maybe not even survive. But nearly four years later, Paylor can lift himself out of his wheelchair and tread over 300 yards with the assistance of a walker, and generally live independently.

Paylor was injured at the end of his sophomore season. About two weeks later, head coach Jack Clark and associate head coach Tom Billups presented him with his varsity letter while he was still in his hospital room at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center.

Varsity letters mean different things to different programs. In the Cal rugby program, it's especially revered.

"Being part of the rugby team, earning my letter really meant something," Paylor said. "I think it means a lot to every Cal athlete, but coach Clark really teaches us what it means to accomplish such a feat. I remember my freshman year when my name wasn't called out, I really wanted to earn it. I received my letter my sophomore year, but not the way I thought I would. But when they came down to my hospital bed to deliver my award, it meant so much to me."

Ruef, who has served as both president and executive director of The Big C Society for the past two years, formulated a search committee for a new executive director that included executive committee member Bill Ausfahl. As the committee started considering younger candidates, and after hearing one of Paylor's inspirational speeches, Ausfahl suggested Paylor. 

The synergies were compelling, and Paylor and The Big C Society were already acquainted. The Big C Society had made a small donation to Paylor's recovery fund after his injury, and Paylor had more recently participated in a seminal video that The Big C Society produced to launch its media strategy of spotlighting varsity alumni who are excelling in post sports careers.

Ruef placed a call to Clark, who in turn called Paylor.

"When I first got that call from coach Clark, who told me about the opportunity, I was elated," Paylor said. "I just thought it was a perfect opportunity. I've had so much support, and I want to give back. I bleed blue and gold. I wouldn't be in the position I am today if it weren't for the literally thousands of people that got me where I am today. Cal is my home, it's the community that I care so deeply about, and it's my goal that every letter winner is connected to this community for life."

Paylor received 5,600 donations through his gofundme.com account. He heard stories about kids running lemonade stands and donating the proceeds to his account. An 8-year-old shared his birthday money for his rehabilitation. Countless followers have watched Paylor's recovery on his social media pages.

"There are not words to explain our pride in Robert and his almost unworldly perseverance," Clark said. "With his experiences and education, he is more prepared for professional success than any of our graduates in memory."

Paylor graduated from Cal's Haas School of Business and says the managerial classes he took have him well-prepared for his new role.

As does that letter he earned from the Cal rugby program.

"Our most primary function is to steward the standards for earning a varsity letter, and for embodying the sensibilities, characteristics and mindset of student-athletes at Cal that earn their varsity letters," Ruef said. "All the rugby guys that Jack has instructed over the years fundamentally understand what the Cal varsity letter represents, so Rob's training and tutelage under coach Clark made him the perfect candidate to be the leader of a group whose primary mission is to be the caretaker of those ideals."

Paylor already felt a kinship to The Big C Society because of the overwhelming support he has received from the greater Cal community – financially and emotionally. It has helped him maintain such a healthy perspective on his experience that he now says he wouldn't trade what happened to him even if he could.

"If I could go back and change what happened to me on May 6, 2017, when I broke my neck, I wouldn't," said Paylor, who has also started a motivational speaking career. "That ability to inspire someone like I've been able to do, it's my new mission in life. It means so much more than going from Point A to Point B on my feet. It makes what happened to me on that day not the worst thing that's ever happened to me. It gave me passion and a purpose – a real purpose in life to take what happened to me on that day and turn it into a gift. It's a gift I can share with other people."

"Do I want to walk again? Yes. I work every single day at being able to walk again. I visualize myself walking again. Something as simple as being able to stand up and give my mom a hug – those are the things that are in my vision. I want them badly, and I will continue to do what it takes to make them happen."