San Diego Legion re-signed Lou Stanfill for the 2020 Major league Rugby season. He played in the final 2018 match with Austin Elite Rugby and in 16 of the team’s 18 matches in 2019. The 34-year-old, 6’3″, 250 lbs. and has 56 caps for the USA Rugby National Team Men’s Eagles.
Lou is from Sacramento, California and graduated from Jesuit High School Sacramento in 2003. He played football and transitioned to rugby from baseball for his freshman year. In 2002 he was the defensive player of the year in football. The rugby team also advanced to a National Semi-final.
From 2003-2008 he attended the University of California, Berkeley joining his brother Jake in playing rugby. The team won several national championships, and 2006 final against BYU, is remembered as being his toughest match. Lou graduated with a B.A. in American Studies and was a collegiate All-American
Lou played club rugby with the Olympic Club and with the Gentlemen of Aspen. He also has an expensive professional and club career with numerous other clubs. In 2010, he played with the Canberra Royals in Australia. He then moved to Treviso, Italy to play for the Super 10 Club, Rugby Mogliano for the 2010-11 season.
In 2012, it was back to the U.S. with New York Athletic Club, where he helped the team to an undefeated season and the Super League title. He was named MVP in the final.
Lou returned to Italy for the 2012-13 season with Serie A, Rugby Vicenza. He then played with the Seattle Saracens from 2014-2018 before playing one match with Austin Elite Rugby in 2018. Since 2019 he has played with the San Diego Legion.
Lou Stanfill & USA Rugby National Team
Lou Stanfill was the third-youngest player to play for the Eagles when he debuted against Canada on May 25, 2005, in Japan. As Eagle 344, he earned 56 caps, the 6th most in USA history, starting 45 times. He played in three Rugby World Cups in 2007, 2011, and in 2015, finishing his international career against South Africa on October 7, 2015. Lou also captained the Eagles in the 2013 IRB Pacific Nations Cup against Fiji.
Lou had a standout season with the San Diego Legion in 2019 and was selected as part of the expanding Rugby World Cup 2019 training squad.
Lou Stanfill & Coaching
Lou has coached Jesuit High School Sacramento in rugby. He has been part of Atavus Rugby and is the Executive Director/CEO of Rugby NorCal.
San Diego Legion
Lou is one of the best USA National Team players to have worn the Eagles uniform. His leadership and competitive spirit have been a model for other players to follow. This continued with the Legion during the 2019 season and his performance will continue in 2020. He is at a different time in his career with family being an important concern.
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