Louis_Stanfill
Louis Stanfill
American rugby union player
Louis Stanfill (born May 30, 1985 in Sacramento, California) is an American former rugby union player who last played for San Diego Legion in Major League Rugby. He previously played for the United States national team. He played at flanker or No. 8, and could also play lock.
| Date of birth | (1985-05-30) May 30, 1985 (age 38) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Place of birth | Sacramento, California, U.S. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 17 st 3 lb (110 kg 243 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| University | University of California, Berkeley | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Stanfill began playing rugby in high school at Jesuit High School (Sacramento), where he led his school to a national semifinal appearance. Stanfill also played high school football, and was named Sacramento defensive player of the year in 2002.[1]
Stanfill played his college rugby at Cal, where they won several national championships during his years there, and Stanfill was selected as an All-American.[2]
Following college, Stanfill played in Australia with the Canberra Royals, before moving to Italy to play with Super 10 club Mogliano in Treviso. At Mogliano he played the Number 8 position.[3] For the 2012 Super League season Stanfill returned to the US to play for NYAC. Due to his strong play the team won the title, finishing the season undefeated. Stanfill was named MVP of the final.[4] Stanfill signed with the Vicenza Rangers rugby club in Italy for the Serie A 2012-13 season.[5] In 2019, Stanfill returned to compete in the second season of Major League Rugby for the San Diego Legion.[6]
Stanfill made his international debut against Canada in May 2005, at the age of 19.[7] Stanfill was included in the USA squad for the 2007 Rugby World Cup, where he scored a try against both Tonga and Samoa in the Eagles' pool matches. Stanfill also scored a try against Uruguay in a 2009 qualifying match for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.[8] Stanfill also played at the 2011 Rugby World Cup, where he started 3 matches, and co-lead the team in tackles in the USA's matches against Ireland (11 tackles) and Russia (9 tackles). Stanfill finished his career competing in the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England, starting for the Eagles against heavy favorites South Africa in Olympic Stadium. Louis finished his career with 56 caps, 6th most in USA Rugby history.[9][10]
Stanfill was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma in November 2020.[11]
- USA Rugby, Player Profile, "USA Rugby - Men's National Team - Player Profile - Louis Stanfill". Archived from the original on March 21, 2009. Retrieved September 12, 2007.
- Cal Golden Blogs, Interview with Cal Rugby Alum Louis Stanfill, June 9, 2011, http://www.californiagoldenblogs.com/2011/6/9/2138283/interview-with-cal-rugby-alum-louis-stanfill
- Cal Golden Blogs, Interview with Cal Rugby Alum Louis Stanfill, June 9, 2011, http://www.californiagoldenblogs.com/2011/6/9/2138283/interview-with-cal-rugby-alum-louis-stanfill
- "NYAC Wins Dramatic Super League Final". Archived from the original on July 7, 2012.
- "Stanfill to Italian Club". Archived from the original on September 23, 2012. Retrieved July 28, 2012.
- "San Diego Legion Re-Signs Lou Stanfill". Retrieved September 7, 2022.
- USA Rugby, Player Profile, "USA Rugby - Men's National Team - Player Profile - Louis Stanfill". Archived from the original on March 21, 2009. Retrieved September 12, 2007.
- "Future Sacramento Firefighter Tells Inspirational Story From Chemo To Cadet". CBS News. Retrieved September 7, 2022.