Reece's Memorial Rugby Scholarship

Our goofball, Marine, fiercely loyal best friend, son, Rooster, and brother, Reece passed away in a car accident on Saturday.

I’ve worked in the development and fundraising world for much of my career and I never dreamed the first legs of a foundation I began would be in memory of my not-so-baby-anymore brother who died way too soon.

Those who knew Reece know how much he would’ve hated all of this attention, but they also know that he lived his life for others, always thinking about what he could to do make one of our days better or how he could make us laugh during hard times. He was the fiercest protector and the biggest goofball. He lived more life in his 22 years than most of us will ever have the privilege of living.

Because of that, our family is creating a scholarship in Reece’s name. We are working closely with the Tennessee Rugby Academy and his former coaches and teammates to make sure these funds are used in a way that would bring him the most joy and make the greatest impact on young people who love Rugby the way he did.

His time playing for Bearden Rugby gave him direction, grit, purpose, and family outside of our already close knit bunch. From Growing up in Texas, Tennessee, and on our family farm in Louisiana to our years in the UAE, India, and throughout our careers, we were a unit and it is so hard to imagine a world where it is not all four of us Hathorn kids, but for as long as we are here we are going to do everything we can to keep his memory alive. He meant so much to so many people and changed their lives for the better. We want to continue to do that for him.

Our goal for the fundraiser is $30,000. This ensures we are able to invest it through a foundation and have it pay out in perpetuity so that Reece is always here. Our family will do everything we can to match donations up to that amount. Giving back to the Rugby community and the kids of East Tennessee is what Reece would’ve wanted and that’s what we’re going to do. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you consider donating here to support our plans for a scholarship for these rugby kids in Reece’s name.

I will update everyone with scholarship and/or foundation plans as we have them. Thank you all for loving him so fiercely. He was our Rooster and best friend and we will never stop missing him.