Remembering Mark Bingham: Cal Rugby Honors a 9/11 Hero
Berkeley, CA – September 11, 2025 - Today, on the 24th anniversary of the September 11th attacks, California Rugby remembers adn honors the life and ultimate sacrifice of former Golden Bear, Mark Bingham. Bingham, a 1993 Cal graduate and standout rugby player, is celebrated as an American hero for his courageous actions aboard United Airlines Flight 93.
On that fateful morning in 2001, the United States was plunged into chaos as terrorists attacked the World Trade center in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington D.C. Flight 93 became a focal point of the tragedy, emerging as another hijacked plane initially intended to strike the U.S. Capitol Building.
Mark Bingham was among the passengers and crew on board. Recognizing the imminent danger to countless lives, Bingham, alongside three othre brave individuals, took decisive action.They courageously stormed the plane’s cockpit, engaging in a physical struggle with the hijackers. Their selfless intervention thwarted the terrorists’ plans, resulting in the plane’s crash in an open field in Pennsylvania. While the outcome was tragic, their heroism undoubtedly saved thousands of lives in the nation’s capital.
Before his untimely death, Bingham was a formidable presence on the Cal Rugby team, a 6-foot-4 backrower who contributed to the team’s 1991 national championship victory. He earned a bachelor’s degree in social sciences with an emphasis on international relations and went on to a accomplished career in public relations, founding his own company, the Bingham Group.
Bingham’s legacy extends far beyond the rugby pitch. He has been posthumously honored with the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the 2002 ESPYs. The Bingham Cup, a biennial rugby tournament, was established in his name and is now a premier competition for gay and inclusive rugby – a cause Bingham passionately advocated for during his life.in 2021,Bingham and fellow Flight 93 passenger and rugger Jeremy Glick were jointly presented with the Chairman’s Award by the U.S. Rugby Foundation.
At the University of California, Bingham’s memory is kept alive through the “Mark Bingham Award for Excellence in Achievement by Young Alumni,” an annual award recognizing a Cal graduate who has made a significant contribution to their community, country, or the world.
Today, as we remember the victims of 9/11, we especially honor Mark Bingham – a Golden Bear, a hero, and a symbol of courage in the face of unimaginable adversity.
Keywords: Mark Bingham, 9/11, Flight 93, Cal Rugby, University of California, American Hero, Bingham Cup, Rugby, September 11th, Memorial, Cal Athletics.
