Craig Levine
Craig began his rugby career at San Diego State University where he played between 1988 and 1991. He also played for the Griffins against territorial sides. After graduating, Craig played with Philadelphia-Whitemarsh during the 1992-93 season before moving to play for Old Blue in New York between 1993 to 2001.
For Old Blue, Craig was a leader who leads by example and demeanor. Craig captained the side from his Hooker position for five years from 1996-1998 and again from 2000-2001. Craig led the team to the finals of the first two Super League Championships in 1997 and 1998.While Craig played for Old Blue, they were XVs champions for the ERU Northeast (1993-94), NRU (1995-98, in 2000 they reached the final, 2001). They reached the Sweet 16 round of Nationals (1993-98, 2000), the Rugby East Final (1993-94) and the Elite 8 (1993-94, 1996-98).
Craig also was the captain for Old Blue’s two Harp USA SL Eastern Conference Championships in 1997-98 and during the same years he played for the NRU, and captained the side in 1997. Being on the National and regional stage as a rugby player caught the attention of the Eagles selectors and he joined the Eagles in 1998 as a Hooker.
In addition to playing rugby and captaining various sides, Craig was also a coach. He also coached Old Blue, New York Women’s Rugby Club and the Northeast Rugby Union. He also brought Morris Women’s Rugby Club to their first ever playoffs.
Maccabi USA Rugby
Craig played hooker and medaled in four Maccabiah Games for the United States. Three of these were as a player, winning bronze in 1993, gold in 1997 and silver in 2001 where he also captained the team. In 2009 he returned to the squad as the coach and the team emerged with a bronze medal. Craig was a leader both on and off the field with unparalleled success with a microphone.
In 1995, he was a member of the gold medal winner Maccabi USA Sevens squad at the Pan-Am Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Not all the memories are on the field. Two made a lasting impression and are vividly remembered.
The first involved assisting a disabled athlete down Masada and upon reaching the bottom, she yelled with her crutches high in the air ‘I just descended Masada!’ The tears and smiles of this memorable event still bring chills to all who were involved.
Another highlight is being able to give the Gold Medal from the 1997 Games to my cousin Deb, who is battling MS and is the real Gold medal winner each and every day. I am fortunate that she is my cousin, a great friend and a real light in my life. He was the coach of the Maccabi USA Rugby 2009 team for the Maccabiah Games.
