United States Merchant Marine Academy

William L. Rung Jr. is the eighth recipient of the United States Merchant Marine Academy's (USMMA) "Skip" Prosser Achievement Award. The award, presented biennially, honors the memory of George Edward "Skip" Prosser '72, an athlete and coach who demonstrated honesty, integrity, dedication, determination, and the commitment to serve others throughout his too short life.
 
"My dad was a member of KP's first graduating class in '43 and spent over 40 years either at sea or ashore as a Superintendent Engineer," Rung said. "As a boy, I got to meet housefuls of Captains, Chief Engineers, etc., and heard the stories of the relationships between shipmates and the teamwork necessary to see their ships and families through the tough bits. Not surprisingly, there were also stories about some of the KP engineer cadets (what they were called in the old days) that my father mentored. All of that provided a foundation; later, during my years at KP, commitment to faith, family, friendships, and teamwork continued to strengthen, a major influence during that time being the Sea Year experience." Not to be overlooked was Rung's receipt of Honors for his Sea Project curriculum.
 
A  '66 graduate of St. Francis Prep, then located in Brooklyn, NY, Rung majored in marine engineering at the Academy where he was a four year varsity member of the football team and the center on the '69 Lambert Bowl Winners, inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame in 2018. Rung also found the time to participate in intramurals, as an active member of the varsity club and in the spring of his first class year became a founding member of the Kings Point Rugby Football Club (KPRFC) and later president and captain during the initial season.
 
"The USMMA years provided so many valuable life lessons that it's hard to say what was THE most valuable—but there's no doubt the value of friendships made and nurtured has to be near the top," said Rung. "And the worth of those KP lessons that helped form so many of us makes clear the obligation to sustain the KP Legacy—to give back—not only to the Academy but also to your country and community."
 
Rung's particular focus in giving back to the Academy has centered on the KPRFC, being active continuously in supporting that particular program since graduation. While beginning his rugby career following graduation at Division 1 men's level, Rung served as an ad hoc coach during the early years of the KPRFC. He became "official" during '91 to '93 as a member of the Athletic Department under Sue Lubow (the KPRFC Beat West Point in '92 and was ranked eighth in the Eastern Rugby Union that season). Career then intervened but Rung ultimately returned as "visiting coach" from '10 to '17 after retiring from Big Oil. "I am still in touch with many KPRFC alums who span the 50 years of the club," said Rung, "who we refer to as Ancient Mariners."
 
Rung had been a "founding member" once again, this time of the "Ancients," a team of rugby alums who would get together at least once a year to play the then current varsity; he has also chaired the KPRFC 40th anniversary Homecoming and, as chair once again, the KPRFC 50th, unfortunately postponed subject to COVID. Rung was honored during the 40th homecoming by having the "Founder's Award"—the KPRFC Annual MVP—named after him. He has also been involved in rugby alum fundraising ("Ancients do quite well in the giving department.") and has assisted in recruiting when he can.
 
Not forgetting his football links, Rung is a consistent member of the Mariner Gridiron Club and is a sure to be found at any gathering of his teammates, most recently organizing a dinner for the Class of '70 members the evening following the '69 team's HOF induction.
 
Rung's commitment to rugby is not confined to Kings Point. He captained the New York RFC in '74 and '75, for whom he played until '82 when he moved on to Manhattan RFC for another couple of years. During that 15 year period in Division 1 he was selected as a member of the Metropolitan Rugby Union on a number of occasions; he also served as treasurer for the NY Club during its 50th anniversary year ('79) and for its celebration at the Plaza Hotel in NY. Transferred to London in '88, Rung played for Wimbledon RFC, one of the oldest clubs in England, in '89/'90. For his services to that club he was elected a Life Vice President. Returning to NY, Rung played "Old Boys" for the Gentlemen of NY, Les Vieux, and of course the Ancient Mariners, finally winding up his playing career (at 58) as a member of both The New York Vintage Whines and London's Harlequins Gentlemen's Tour to Argentina in '06.
 
As if all of that rugby wasn't enough, Rung managed to squeeze in a regular diet of distance races (most of them charity fundraisers) from the basic 5K up through half marathons. "In '14 I finished 15th in my age group (65+) in the Chevron Houston 5K," he said. "I was injured for the 70+ run but the plan is to get ready for 75+ in '24 to see if I can crack top 5."
 
Professionally, Rung spent his entire career either directly or closely connected to the maritime industry. Following graduation, Rung sailed for Grace and Moore Mc Cormack Lines; opting to complete his obligation via active duty in the US Navy, he served on three different destroyers, receiving his Honorable Discharge as a Lieutenant. Joining Texaco's International Marine Sales Department as a Marine Engineer, he assumed positions of increasing responsibility. In '81, he received an MBA from Fordham University. As a Texaco executive, Rung had P and L responsibility for a number of marine, technical, heavy fuel, and trading operations. As a Vice President of Texaco International Trader, Rung served on several subsidiary boards (including OceanConnect, forerunner of KPI/OceanConnect, current golf outing sponsor). Following the merger with Chevron in '01, Rung continued in several executive capacities, retiring as General Manager—Marketing Strategy and Media for the Product, Supply, and Trading Group.
 
Upon retirement in '07, Rung expanded his commitment to Kings Point, International Rugby in general and the community. In '08 he became the Founding Head Coach at Strake Jesuit (SJ) in Houston where he held the role for 12 years. Making the Texas State Playoffs for six of those years, he culminated his tenure at SJ with back to back Rugby Texas Division 2 State Championships in '18 and '19.  At the same time Rung took on responsibilities as the Commissioner of the Texas High School Rugby Conference (THSRC) from '09 through '12, joined the Board of Houston Youth Rugby Association (HYRA), a nonprofit whose objective is to raise funds to support youth rugby in the Houston Metro area—in '11 and served as President from '13 to '15. He served as Houston Area THSRC Under 16 Select Side Coach and in '12 was voted THSRC Coach of the Year.
 
Internationally, Rung served on the Houston Sports Authority Committee overseeing the planning, marketing, and coordination of the '18 International Test Match between the USA Eagles and Scotland. Through his efforts the USA Eagles were hosted at Strake Jesuit as their training center on five separate occasions and as a result access to selected Eagles training, free of charge, was provided to the Houston youth rugby community. Rung is an International Rugby Board Certified Level 300 Coach and Level 100 Referee.
 
"There's no excuse for not doing the right thing," says Rung, "and helping others when you can is ALWAYS the right thing." In that regard, he figured out a way to help the KPRFC when help was needed. Rung worked out how to both coach at KP and SJ given that the seasons luckily didn't overlap. "Splitting time between homes in NY and TX was tiring and trying at times; it was only due to the strong support of my family that I was able to pull it off." And in an entirely different circumstance when he was asked to assume the presidency of his local Homeowners' Association to "address irregularities" he took on the role and led his team to a successful result, remaining in the leadership position for eight years.
 
"My recent experience as 50th Anniversary Class Member of the '20 Awards Committee has provided a fresh perspective of the value of what the USMMA provides to all of us," he said. "To review the outstanding achievements of so many graduates and from them to select the most deserving of recognition is both a celebration of sorts as well as a daunting task—not one to be taken lightly. To have the responsibility of "maintaining the standard"—keeping the faith with those who have gone before and setting the bar with those who will come after—is the challenge we as Kings Pointers all have." 
 
In addition to his personal commitment of time and energy, Rung continues his strong support of the Academy as a major donor, a member of the Flying Bridge, and, although not a golfer himself, a supporter of the New York and Houston Golf Outings—"for when I get old enough to play."
 
Rung and his wife, Mary (his HS and KP sweetheart) will celebrate their 50th anniversary next year; she has shared and supported his KP experiences and activities since it all began in August of '66. "We were married in the Mariners' Chapel" says Rung. "Given that, plus all of the football games, rugby matches, dances, dinners, and the like she has been involved with, as well as the KP related support she has provided through the years, she has said on more than one occasion that all she would need to be a Cadet/Midshipman is a uniform." Splitting time between Manhasset, NY and Missouri City, TX, the Rungs have toured much of the eastern US and are now planning to head west. Their son, Will, is completing a doctoral program in psychology at LIU; that, plus strong NY ties keep them moving between the two locations.  
 
Now officially a "Head Rugby Coach Emeritus," Rung hopes to have even more time to pursue his interests in both Civil War and ancient history. "I've been on nine campaigns in both the Eastern and Western Theaters of the Civil War and probably have visited more than 100 sites," he said. "As far as ancient history goes, the bulk of that has been in Greece where three of us, friends of over 35 years, get together once a year to dig deeper off the beaten track. Our host there is a Master Mariner, graduate of the Greek Maritime Academy who spent much of his career in 100K DWT plus bulkers. The ironic thing is that in both of those activities I have come across many who know of KP well and praise the KPers they know and the quality of the education they've received. With that kind of reputation, the value added proposition all of us have received should be clear, as should our individual responsibility to sustain and grow the impact of the USMMA, not only in the global maritime industry but in society as well." 
 
Acta Non Verba.