Press Release – The U.S. Rugby Football Foundation (USRFF) has revealed the distinguished individuals selected for induction into the US Rugby Hall of Fame Class of 2026. Each inductee represents the pinnacle of rugby excellence in America, having shaped the foundation and future of our beloved sport. Additionally, USRFF will honor the 2026 Chairman’s Award and Lifetime Achievement Award recipients. The 2026 U.S. Rugby Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony takes place on Saturday, Aug. 14 at the Renaissance Fort Lauderdale Marina Hotel in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Reserve your seat. [lead graphic c/o USRFF]

The following remarkable athletes and contributors have earned their place in rugby immortality through their exceptional skill, unwavering dedication, and lasting impact on the game:

Alexander Goff

Alexander “Alex” Goff has been a pivotal voice in American rugby media for over two decades, helping to shape the sport’s narrative and provide essential exposure to players across all levels. Since founding the Goff Rugby Report, he has dedicated himself to covering high school, collegiate, and senior club rugby, often bringing much needed attention to grassroots programs. His comprehensive coverage includes establishing rankings for high school and college teams, tracking American players overseas, and providing in-depth analysis of national team performances. He has frequently served as a commentator and analyst for major rugby broadcasts, bringing his encyclopedic knowledge of the game to a wider audience. In recognition of his contributions, he has received numerous media awards and continues to be a trusted authority within the rugby community.

Alexander “Mags” Magleby

Alexander “Mags” Magleby’s remarkable career spans success as a player, coach, and administrator at the highest levels of American rugby. A standout collegiate player at Dartmouth College, Magleby went on to earn international honors, representing the United States as captain of the USA Eagles Sevens team. Following his playing days, Magleby returned to Dartmouth as the Director of Rugby and head coach, transforming the program into a national powerhouse and securing multiple Ivy League titles and national sevens championships. He later served as the head coach of the USA Men’s Sevens team and General Manager of National Teams for USA Rugby, overseeing the high performance pathways for both the men’s and women’s programs. Most recently, as the co-founder and CEO of the New England Free Jacks in Major League Rugby, he built a franchise known for its strong community ties and competitive excellence, culminating in an MLR Championship.

Edward Ayub

Edward “Ed” Ayub has been a foundational figure in the development of rugby in Southern California, renowned for both his formidable presence on the field and his tireless efforts off it. Ayub’s playing career was marked by his exceptional skill and physical dominance, earning him recognition as one of the premier players in his region. Competing at the highest levels of club rugby, he was a driving force behind his team’s success and a respected opponent across the country. Beyond his achievements as a player, Ayub’s true legacy lies in his dedication to the growth of the game. He has been a passionate advocate for rugby development, heavily involved in coaching and administration. Through his leadership, he helped establish and expand rugby programs, creating opportunities for countless young athletes to discover and excel in the sport.

Irene Gardner

Irene Gardner’s career in rugby is a testament to her athletic brilliance and her commitment to the well-being of her fellow athletes. A fiercely competitive player, Gardner was a standout for the Berkeley All Blues, leading her team to multiple national championships. Her exceptional talent on the field earned her a place on the USA Women’s Sevens team, where she represented the United States on the global stage with distinction. Following her retirement from international competition, Gardner seamlessly transitioned into a role that combined her passion for rugby with her professional expertise. As a dedicated sports dietitian and medical professional, she has provided essential support to rugby players, focusing on nutrition, player welfare, and performance optimization. Through her advocacy, coaching, and medical contributions, she has helped elevate the standards of the women’s game in the United States.

Kerrissa Heffernan

Kerrissa “Kerri” Heffernan has devoted her life to advancing women’s rugby, making history as a player, coach, and administrator. Her international career began in 1987 when she was selected for the first official United States women’s team to play an international match. A formidable presence on the field, Heffernan also claimed multiple national club championships with Beantown RFC. Transitioning to coaching, Heffernan became the head coach of the Brown University women’s rugby program, leading the initiative to elevate the team to varsity status. Under her guidance, Brown secured seven Ivy League Championships and produced numerous All-Americans and national team players. As an administrator, she played a pivotal role in establishing the US Women’s Rugby Foundation History Project, building archives and online museums to document the rich history of women’s rugby in America.

Kevin Battle

Kevin “KB” Battle has been a transformative figure in American rugby, demonstrating an unparalleled commitment to developing the sport at all levels. His journey began as a collegiate standout, earning Collegiate All-American honors in sevens. Following his playing career, Battle founded the Santa Barbara Rugby Academy, an innovative program that provided non-college track athletes with a structured pathway to play rugby and matriculate to four-year universities. His administrative expertise has benefited rugby on a national scale, serving as the USA Rugby Collegiate DI Commissioner and managing the USA Men’s National Team during multiple World Cup campaigns. More recently, Battle has been a driving force in professional rugby as the General Manager for the LA Giltinis and CEO of Rugby LA, introducing flag and tackle rugby to thousands of inner-city youth.

William Sexton

William “Bill” Sexton has been a cornerstone of rugby coaching and administration in the Midwest for over 35 years. His most visible impact has been at Truman State University, where he has served as head coach since 1989. Under his guidance, the program transformed into a collegiate powerhouse, securing 12 Heart of America titles, multiple Western Championships, and making consistent appearances in the USA Rugby national playoffs. As an administrator, he served as President of the Heart of America union and led the Western Rugby Union for 22 years. His strategic vision was instrumental on the national stage during his ten years on the USA Rugby Board of Directors. Sexton played a crucial role in modernizing the sport’s infrastructure, famously helping to create the original CIPP membership system and contributing to the establishment of the USA Rugby Coaching Certification program.

Each year alongside the Hall of Fame induction class, the USRFF presents two special awards recognizing individuals whose careers of service have shaped the landscape of American rugby. The 2026 recipients of the Chairman’s Award and the Lifetime Achievement Award represent decades of dedication to growing, sustaining, and strengthening the sport at every level. 

Chairman’s Award

Kevin Kitto (1946–2025)
Born in New Zealand, Kevin Kitto brought a lifelong love of rugby to the United States when he arrived in the 1970s. He joined the Queen City RFC in Denver and quickly took on coaching and administrative roles, serving as a coach for the Eastern Rockies and Western Rugby Union select sides and as a selector for USA Rugby. After relocating to Florida in 1979, Kitto spent the next four decades building rugby in the Southeast. He served as President of the Florida Rugby Union and, from 2005, as President and Director of Rugby for USA Rugby South. He led USA Rugby South teams in competition across Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America in Rugby Americas North competitions, providing international playing opportunities to players in a region that would otherwise have had none. He co-founded the Panther Rugby Academy in 2020, a verified National Development Program, and served on its board. Kevin Kitto passed away on February 27, 2025. This award honors a career of 46 years of continuous service to American rugby. Read more.

Lifetime Achievement Award

Karen “KJ” Feury
Karen “KJ” Feury has been a driving force in youth rugby development in the United States for more than 25 years. Introduced to tag rugby at the Saranac Tournament in 1998 by then USA Rugby Youth Director Patrick Walsh, she launched a youth program in Denville, New Jersey the following year with 20 children. That program, the Denville Dawgs, grew to encompass eight towns and more than 1,000 participants at its peak. The American Flag Rugby model developed through her Morris Rugby organization was shared with USA Rugby and used to inform the development of Rookie Rugby. As President of Rugby New Jersey from 2012 to 2025, she founded and ran the annual Rugby NJ College Fair and Combine (2013 to 2025), giving high school players across New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Connecticut direct access to college programs. She also established the Captains Round Table and the Rugby NJ Webinar Series, both of which she coordinated from 2018 through 2025. A registered nurse and advanced practice nurse, Feury has provided field medical coverage for Morris Rugby, the NJ Blaze, and Atlantis Rugby programs, and has conducted published injury surveillance research on high school rugby. In 2022 she received the Morris Rugby Lifetime Achievement Award. Read more.