STUART KROHN
Stu began his rugby career in 1980 at the University of Colorado, Boulder. After his freshman year, Stu transferred to UC-Santa Barbara and played for the Santa Barbara Grunions from1981-1982. Stu moved to France and played for Kronenbourg RFC, in 1983-1984 and Stade Toulousaine (French National Champions – 1984-1985). Stu returned to UCSB to play from 1985-1987
Stu was an international traveler and rugby player. He played for North Shore, NZ (North Harbour Club Champions 1988-1989); Valley RFC Hong Kong, (Club Champions – 1990-1998) and College Rovers, Durban, South Africa (Natal Champions – 1992, 1993). During Stu’s international career, Ed Haggerty, editor of Rugby Magazine, wrote, in an article about the state of the US Eagles: “The best American rugby player may be Stuart Krohn who is living and playing overseas.” Stu eventually came back to the USA and nished his playing career with Santa Monica.
Stu had a very successful playing career in 15’s and 7’s. Stu played for numerous all-star teams in the USA and abroad: All American (1986); Paci c Coast Junior Grizzlies (1986); North Harbour B (1988-1989) North Harbour 7’s rep. (1989); Hong Kong National 15’s and 7’s (1990-1997).
Stu has also had a successful coaching career: Dartmouth (1998-1999); Santa Monica Coach (1999-2009) (D1 National Champions – 2005, 2006) and SoCal Grif ns – Coach (2001-2005) (National Champions 2003)
One of Stu’s greatest accomplishments is envisioning and starting the ICEF Rugby Program in South Los Angeles in 2003, creating a program that other cities could model themselves after. He has toured with ICEF students to China, England, France, New Zealand, Tahiti, Hawaii, Fiji, South Africa, Brazil, and Washington, DC. ICEF players have gone on to play at Brown, Bowdoin, Cal, Cornell, Dartmouth, MIT, UCLA and many other prominent colleges across the nation. There is currently an award winning documentary about ICEF Rugby trending on Net ix called Red, White, Black & Blue Odyssey.
Maccabi USA Rugby
Stu’s rst involvement with the Maccabi USA program was in 1986, while he was playing at UCSB. Stu was invited to join the 1985 Maccabiah team which played an exhibition match, at the inaugural Celtic Games in Massachusetts, against a combined select side consisting of US Eagles of Irish heritage and Irish internationals. The Maccabiah team pulled the upset by winning, 6-4. Stu’s dominance of Eagles brothers Brian and Kevin Swords made him a xture on Jordan’s list of future Maccabiah players.
Stu was living overseas during the 1985 and 1989 Maccabiah Games and was unable to participate. Finally, in 1992, Stu ew to the US to participate in the Maccabiah trials (with no sleep). He played with US team at the 1993 Maccabiah and helped the team win the Silver medal. Stu returned in 1997 and was a key contributor to the rst ever Gold Medal for Maccabi USA Rugby in our victory over South Africa. In 2005, Stu returned to the Maccabiah as head coach of the US squad, and the team wonthe Silver Medal. Stu played second row and back row during his rugby career.
Hall of Fame Plaque
“The best American rugby player may be Stuart Krohn who is living and playing overseas.” -Ed Haggerty, Editor, Rugby Magazine
Head Coach USA 17th World Maccabiah Games 2005-Silver
Number 8 USA 15th World Maccabiah Games 1997-Gold
Number 8/2nd Row Row USA 14th World Maccabiah Games 1993-Silver
Hong Kong National Rugby Team 7’s and XVs 1990-1997
Selected All American XV 1986
Selected Pacific Coast Grizzlies Jrs. 1986
North Harbour B-New Zealand 1988-89
North Harbour 7’s 1989
National Champion-Hong Kong-Valley RFC 1990-1998
National Champion-France-Stade Toulousaine 1984-1985
Provincial Champions-North Harbor New Zealand-North Shore RFC
Provincial Champions-Natal South Africa-College Rovers RFC
Head Coach Santa Monica RFC-National Champions 2005,2006
Head Coach Southern California Griffins National Champions 2003
Established the ICEF Rugby Program in South Los Angeles in 2003 to develop the game in inner cities. Toured with ICEF students to China, England, France, New Zealand, Tahiti, Hawaii, Fiji, South Africa, Brazil, and Washington, DC. ICEF players have gone on to play at Brown, Bowdoin, Cal, Cornell, Dartmouth, MIT, UCLA and many other prominent colleges across the nation. There is currently an award-winning documentary about ICEF Rugby trending on Netflix called Red, White, Black & Blue Odyssey.
