When the Arkansas State Alumni Association and A-State Rugby teamed up to host Bubbles & Bingo in 2018, they created an annual event that has become a key part of the club’s fundraising efforts while also providing a fun way for fans and supporters to contribute to the success of Red Wolves Rugby.

On Jan. 18, the Arkansas State University Rugby Club will host its seventh annual Bubbles & Bingo fundraiser, offering a morning of brunch, bubbles, bingo and music. Held at the Cooper Alumni Center on the A-State campus, the annual event will feature a variety of brunch items, various games of bingo, live music from the Vicki McGee band and a silent auction with a variety of items up for bid. Proceeds from the event will support the rugby club’s efforts to grow and compete at the highest level, helping to fund equipment, travel and training for the athletes.

A-State Rugby began in 1996, when the late Curt Huckaby voluntarily founded the program. Huckaby, who was an attorney and Craighead County District judge, volunteered his time and effort as the head coach of the A-State rugby team for 14 years, growing the program into prominence and recruiting players from all over the world. The university’s rugby field is now named after Huckaby.

Dominic Shaw joined A-State Rugby as the head coach in February 2022. Under Shaw’s leadership, the team continues to build on its impressive track record, which includes two Sevens Series titles, a National Championship final appearance and two bowl victories. Shaw hails from South Africa and played rugby at the University of South Wales in Wales, UK. His previous coaching experience includes serving as the community rugby coach for WRU (Welsh Rugby Union), as the USA Rugby community rugby coach, for the Jeppe High School for Boys (Kensington, South Africa) and for the Golden Lions Rugby Union (Johannesburg, South Africa).

The A-State Rugby team is a club sport, and therefore does not receive funding from the A-State Athletics Department since it is not an NCAA sanctioned sport. Fundraising is an essential way that the team is able to meet its various needs, including travel, equipment and specialized coaching. Bubbles & Bingo has continued to be a successful fundraiser for the program year after year.

Amanda McDaniel, director of alumni events and affinity relations for the A-State Alumni Association, says she started the event in 2018 after seeing a similar fundraiser while traveling.

“I was inspired by a work conference I attended, where another university held a bingo fundraiser for their baseball team,” said McDaniel. “I adapted the idea for our rugby club, tailoring it to fit our needs. Since I work closely with rugby alumni, this was a wonderful opportunity to give back to a group of students who truly deserve the support.”

Since its first year, the event has been a fan favorite and a successful fundraiser, with all proceeds going to support A-State Rugby.

“The inaugural Bubbles & Bingo event took place in 2018 with 77 women in attendance,” said McDaniel “Since then, both attendance and the funds raised for the A-State Rugby Club have steadily increased. In 2024, we welcomed 139 attendees—nearly double the number from the first year.”

Attendees of Bubbles & Bingo can expect a fun, lighthearted experience. This ladies-only event is highly anticipated each year.

“It’s the most fun you can have with your girlfriends on a Saturday morning,” said McDaniel. “The atmosphere is something everyone enjoys—delicious food, a silent auction, live music by the Vikki McGee Band and, of course, bingo. It’s amazing to see everyone’s competitive spirit come to life during the games.”

Members of the ASU Rugby Club are also in attendance during the event, helping serve attendees to make it a fun and interactive experience.
“We couldn’t host this event without the amazing gentlemen of the rugby team,” said McDaniel. “They assist with every detail, from greeting guests at the door to placing bids on the silent auction items for the donors and grabbing more bingo cards so you never even have to leave your table. It’s always a pleasure working with them—they’re true gentlemen and hard workers.”

The A-State Rugby season kicked off in September and lasts until May. Shaw says that the toughest opponents the team expects to face this season are Life University and Lindenwood University. For those who are interested in going to a rugby match for the first time, Shaw says fans can expect “physical, end-to-end action during the whole game.”

“A-State Rugby matches are exciting to watch, fast and hard-hitting,” McDaniel said. “It is a very fun environment; you can bring your dog, too.”
For more information about Bubbles & Bingo, please visit calendar.astate.edu/event/13736-bubbles-bingo or call the A-State Alumni Association at (870) 972-2586.