Blessed with a larger-than-life personality, Rick Bailey could talk to almost anybody about anything.
 
"He was an amazing athlete and had an incredible personality, an everyman kind of guy," his wife, Elizabeth Bailey, said. "He was very intelligent and knew about all kinds of things. He was a hunter, an athlete, well-read and majored in kinesiology. I would always joke that he was an amateur doctor because he knew a little about everything. He had a lot of energy and lived life to the fullest."
 
Rick starred on the rugby pitch for Cal from 1974-77 and continued to play at a high level after graduation, including as a member of the U.S. national team at the inaugural World Cup in 1987.
 
Sadly, Rick passed away last June at age 67 following a long battle with cancer. However, he will forever be remembered thanks to a generous seven-figure gift from the Doug and Corinne Cole family to create the Rick Bailey Cal Rugby Endowment. In addition, the Coles have offered a challenge to rugby alumni to match gifts of any size to any contribution to the Friends of Cal Rugby Fund or the Rick Bailey Endowment up to $250,000. To donate to Cal rugby and be part of this challenge, please visit here to give by June 30, 2022.

 

Doug Cole was introduced to rugby in 1973 in Sun Valley, Idaho, before beginning his college career at Saint Mary's in Moraga. He transferred to Cal in 1976, playing for coach Ned Anderson for three years. Over his first two seasons, he and Bailey were teammates, beginning a life-long friendship, and they continued to play together on the Old Blues after graduation.
 
Another member of those Cal teams in the mid-1970s was Jack Clark, now in his 39th season as head coach of the Golden Bear program. Clark and Bailey remained best friends over the years, with Clark serving as best man at Bailey's wedding and as godfather to one of his daughters, Brianna.
 
"Rick, or 'Boom' as we called him, is that once-in-a-lifetime friend," Clark said. "He's not replaceable, and there will always be a void. However, because of Doug and Corinne, we will be able to chisel Rick's name into the granite of Cal rugby."
 
Bailey grew up in Napa and was a four-sport letterman at Napa High School in football, wrestling, tennis and baseball. After declining a baseball contract from the Los Angeles Dodgers, he accepted a football scholarship to BYU, where he was a linebacker on the football team for one season. After his position coach left, Bailey enrolled at San Bernardino Valley College before transferring to Cal.
 
A dominant loose-head prop, Bailey played for the national team from 1979-87. He was a member of the Old Blues Rugby Club of Berkeley and helped the team to seven national club championships from 1979-87.
 
"Cal rugby meant so much to Rick," Elizabeth Bailey said. "He started out as a football player and then realized what a great game rugby was and started playing it."
 
After his playing days, Bailey made a successful transition to coaching, serving as a Cal assistant rugby coach from 1991-94 and helping the Bears to four national collegiate titles. In 2015, Bailey was presented the Craig Sweeney Award, awarded to a capped U.S. international player who has made significant contributions back to the game. In 2020, he was inducted into the U.S. Rugby Hall of Fame.

 

"He loved being part of a team and he was a natural leader," Elizabeth said. "After success in so many sports, I think his overall athletic talent was probably best realized on the rugby field. He made lifelong friends through Cal rugby. Sometimes I think Cal rugby isn't just a sport but a commitment to brotherhood and respect on a level way beyond the play."
 
"Everyone who went on to play as part of the Old Blues for 10 to 20 years after college is best friends," Cole said. "Rick was always a part of this. I still go camping once a year with 30 guys who I've known since I was 19. Rugby was a very important part of my life. It centered me when I was 18 and gave me a purpose. I want rugby to succeed in the Bay Area. Rick was a force for all of us. All rugby guys have each other's backs."
 
Recently retired as CEO of American Battery Metals, Cole continues to serve on several public boards. He understands the need for alumni like himself to continue to give back to the rugby program.
 
"Rugby needs to be endowed," Cole said. "Not only the whole program, but also all of the positions. Rugby is a great sport, and it does nothing but create camaraderie. It's not a single sport, it's a team sport, period. Cal rugby has a great tradition. It's all about endowing the program and seeing the success of the program continue for another 100 years."
 
Cal rugby alumni have developed a long legacy of giving back to the program, and the Rick Bailey Cal Rugby Endowment is the latest in a line of named endowments. This gift continues a long history of former players, family and friends of Cal rugby generously giving back to the University and the program (see the complete list of rugby endowments at the bottom of this story).  
 
"Individuals such as Doug and Corinne are rare," Clark said. "This level of generosity is truly remarkable. What makes the donation beautiful is that they did it in Rick's name - not their own. That's next-level kindness. Interesting thing is that although making a substantial donation in another's name is unusual, it is not uncommon in Cal rugby. The Rick Bailey Rugby Endowment will now join the Ed "Mush" Graff, Robert Paylor and Mark Bingham endowments as philanthropy which graciously pays forward a donation in the name of a fellow Golden Bear. It's a classy thing the Coles have done."

 
CAL RUGBY ENDOWMENTS
Art Mower Rugby Wing Endowment
Barbara and John "Jack" MacKenzie Rugby Endowment
Brian and John Frantz Rugby Prop Endowment
Brock Settlemier Memorial Fund for Rugby
Bud Lyons Rugby Hooker Endowment
Cal Rugby Endowment
CAPT Jim DiMatteo (US Navy) Rugby Scrum Half Endowment
Donald James Jr Rugby Prop Endowment
Ed "Mush" Graff Endowment
George D. Witter Memorial Rugby Endowment Fund
George Roeth Rugby Wing Endowment
Gregory J. Chenu Center Endowment Fund
Jim "Truck" and Marty Cullom Rugby Endowment Fund
Kinglion Rugby Endowment Fund
Mark Bingham Rugby Back Row Endowment
Miles 'Doc' Hudson Rugby Endowment
Ned Anderson Family Rugby Lock Endowment
Peter and Terry Liebowitz Rugby Endowment
Rex A Dzura Fund
Robert Paylor Rugby Lock Endowment
Sonsini Family Rugby Team Endowment
Spieker Rugby Fund
Steve Ellis Rugby Center Endowment
Witter Rugby Endowment Fund