Hall of Fame
Hall of Fame Class of 2013
Dr. James "Big Pete" Petersen - 1978-2003
Player, Coach, and Club adviser for over 25 years for the MSU Rugby Club. "Big Pete" is a true Icon of the MSURFC. Generations of MSU rugby players can thank Pete for Playing, Teaching, Advising, and maintaining the Stability of our rugby club. As a player, he was a massive figure in the front row. As a coach, every MSU Team would be sound in the fundamentals of rugby, and were always known for our trademark aggressiveness on the pitch. As our campus adviser, he keep the club on campus after some of our famous rugby antics over the years. Many years of his hard work with the University Administration finally paid off in 2012 when the construction of pitch for the rugby club was completed. Pete's one of a kind personality has made him loved by generations of MSU Rugby players
Jay Ziesmer - 1981 - 1985
During his four years with the MSURFC, Jay was Scrum Captain his Junior and Senior years. He also was selected to the MN College Select Side as a Prop in 1985. He is very proud member of the 1982 Dream Team and maintains life long friendships with most of those teammates. In the late 1980's he became President of the MSU Rugby Alumni Foundation and remained as President for the next 25 years, organizing the Rugby Alumni Weekends. He has been one of the most recognizable players in MSU Rugby history and has dedicated much of his life to preserving the memory and traditions of the MSU Rugby Club.
Dan Gage - 1977 - 1981
During the early years of the club Dan was both a leader on and off the pitch, serving as Club President for two years. He was also one of the early standout players, from MSU, in college rugby. After moving on from MSU, Dan was still very involved in Rugby and would often return to referee matches in Mankato and never asking for a fee. In later years, as an alumni, he was known for his inspirational speeches during alumni matches.
Jane Stanley - 1983 -1986
Jane is one of the founding members of the MSU Women's Club. She played second row for her three years at MSU and was also elected Captain and the second ever President of the rugby club. Her energetic personality and love for the game, and her teammates, is what made her so valuable in the early years of the Women's Club. Jane has been a fixture at every MSU Rugby Alumni Reunion.
Hall of Fame Class of 2014
Courtney Voehl - 1980 - 1984
Dedication to MSU Rugby as a player and alumni is the calling card for Courtney. Nicknamed "The Animal" for his on the pitch persona, he has displayed this same energy over the last 30 years as a dedicated leader amount the rugby alumni. He is known to always have you back on the pitch and at the party. Courtney is the designer of the very first MSU Rugby logo, the famous goalpost, ball, and beer mug logo. This later became the club patch we would wear on our jerseys for the next 10 years. A proud member of the 1982 Dream Team. He also has the distinction of holding the Office of Club President the shortest amount of time.
Tom Theisen - 1988 - 1992
He was part of period in Minnesota College Rugby where he was the leader of the MSURFC, as they ran rough shot over every other college club, and many club sides, in the state. Tom was a total lead by example player on the pitch. Held many positions in the scrum, but could insert with the backs in open play. Although Tom has moved to NYC many years ago, he never missed an alumni match.
Russ Spaulding - 1984 -1989
As Back Captain for three years for MSU Rugby, Russ was a standout for both his leadership and scoring ability. Russ, and his teammates of that era, began the standard of dominance of MSU Rugby that last for almost 10 years. Russ went on to be a standout player at the club level but his heart and dedication never left Mankato.
Anne Wilber Jacobsen - 1984 - 1987
As the founder of the MSU Women's Rugby Club, Anne was responsible for getting the women's club started from the ground up. Not only being a standout player, she recruited, instructed, coached, and ran every job on the club for the first years. Her hard work and dedication can be directly linked to the success of today's women's team. Without Anne, there would be no MSU Women's Rugby.
Hall of Fame Class of 2015
"Wild Bill" Garwood - 1981-1984
During Bill's time with MSU Rugby he was a standout second row with a rep for making the "big hit". He was a fixture at all matches, team gatherings, and a larger than life figure on campus. Over the years since playing for MSU Rugby, Bill has been involved with the Alumni with both his generous donation of time and funds to MSU Rugby.
Devin Gusswinet - 1991-1994
Was a member of one of the strongest group of scrummies that was dominate in Minnesota Rugby. A leader on the field, he also demanded that same commitment from his teammates off the field. Rugby was first and foremost with Devin. Devin also has a commitment to MSU Rugby as helping sponsor the club over the years as owner of the South Street Saloon.
Kevin Graves - 1997-2001
Kevin held about as many roles with the MSU Rugby Club as possible including a two back to back years as club President. He was a team leader as field captain, match sec, and filled in as referee for both the men's and women's matches when needed. Kevin's leadership was one of the factors for the team’s success in the late 90's
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Hall of Fame Class of 2016
Paul Watery - 1994 - 1998
To look at Romeo off the rugby pitch you would never think that he was one of the most talented and toughest rugby players to ever put on the MSU Jersey. He is, as a teammate talked of Paul, "pound for pound the most talented player in club history". Paul did more on the pitch, from scrum half, than any other player. He was the standout Scrumhalf in the state during his time at MSU. He was also one of the best game managers as captain on the pitch. Was named to Minnesota College Select Side for three years.
Craig Borey - 1993 - 1997
"Stump" as he was known in the rugby world was well named for his low to the ground posture. He was one of the most feared college rugby players in the state for his skills with, and without, the rugby ball. Always a dominating tackler, he was always around the ball in loose play. His teammates remarked on his toughness and durability over the years. Craig was one of the key players in MSU Rugby's back to back undefeated seasons in Minnesota Rugby. Was named to the Minnesota College Select Side.
Hall of Fame Class of 2017
Don Gaudette - 1977-1981
He was one of the very early members to give our rugby club status within the University. Not only was Don a 4 year standout on the pitch, with being Scrum Captain during the years 1979-1980, but he a force in getting our club to grow during our early years. In 1979, Don re-wrote our clubs Constitution and by-laws, which are still the ones we use today.
Ron Kadrlik - 1978-1982
During Ron's time at MSU he was always the class of our club. He started at Prop and then moved to wing forward where he was Scrum Captain. Known to all as "Kuts" he was a "lead by example" player on the field. There was no more talented rugby player than Kuts, and with his on-field leadership, he lead MSU Rugby to several All Minnesota College titles. He will also be remembered as being the drummer for our "house band" Claxton Walsh, which played our rugby fundraiser parties at the Oleander Saloon for many years.
Hanna Stolba - 2002-2004
Hanna is one of, if not, the most accomplished player that the MSU Women's team has very produced. Only playing two years with MSU, she moved on to play at much higher levels with her MSU Rugby experience. Being a member of the Midwest select-side, and having the honor to be selected for the USA Women's Eagles for the Rugby World Cups in 2010 and 2014. She is currently coaching the Stanford Women's Club.
Hall of Fame Class of 2018
Bob "Kleetz" Eischens - 1989-1994
Kleetz was part of a front row and team during the 1990's that dominated the college division of Minnesota Rugby. Bob was not only powerful in the scrum, but a force in open play. In his time as President for the club, he fought to get MSU Rugby the recognition it deserved for going undefeated for three years at All Minnesota and league play. I the last few years he has taken the leadership of the MSU Rugby alumni. As part of growing rugby in Mankato, he has been involved with the Mankato Maruders rugby club. 
Molly Knowell Krenz - 1987-1992
Her career with the MSU Women's club started the year after the club was born. She learned many positions on the pitch from the senior members of the club. She then took a leadership role with the club as President for two years. During this time the the team numbers doubled and become more involved on campus. Molly's greatest contributions came after she left MSU. She has been the lead for the Women's club for every reunion and has been part of planning every reunion.
Hall of Fame Class of 2019
Mike "Digger" Leider - 1992 - 1995
A front row player for his four years at Mankato, he was both a Hooker and a Prop. In 1994 he was President of the club, and later served as Coach for the Men's side. He was a key player in winning the All-Minnesota, All-Saints, and Final Four Playoffs all four years as a starter.
Mike as been involved in starting the Mankato Men's Club and playing though the age of 50. He is also one of the key alumni in the funding and installation of the new scoreboard at the rugby pitch.
Ross Johnson - 1992 - 1996
Ross was always known as a leader on the pitch. He always was the hardest working player, and would invite mayhem and elegant violence as he ran over opposing players. His benefit to the club was that he was a great teacher of the game to the young players, and always had time to for his teammates. Ross gave his heart and soul to MSU Rugby. He has been a fixture at all Alumni Matches, showing that same mayhem on the pitch as an alumni.
Tom "Hollywood" Frederick
He was an original member of the 1984 Mankato Killer Bees Rugby Club which was the summer rugby team for MSU. He did his rugby playing career at UW-Stout, from 1980-1984. Along with being the President of that club for several years, he was that teams outstanding player on the pitch. This was on show many times as he, and the UW-Stout Club, played many spirited matches vs. MSU. You might has seen Tom as he has played in all past MSU alumni matches, wearing his Mankato KIller Bees jersey. Tom's Hall of Fame credits came as he moved back to Mankato in the late 1980's and became the single largest supporter of both the MSU Men's and Women's clubs in both sponsorship and donations to MSU Rugby. Tom, along with his business, Pub 500, have been the one of the major fundraisers for the new MSU Rugby Scoreboard. Tom has also been elected to the MSU - Mankato University Athletic Hall of Fame.
Hall of Fame Class of 2021
Hall of Fame Class of 2022
Cody Simpson 2009 - 2014
Cody has one of the most accomplished rugby careers of any MSU Rugby Alumni. He has reached to some of the highest levels of competitive rugby. During his years at MSU he was a standout Fly Half and Full Back. He was selected to the Minnesota College Select Side for 2013 and 2014. Was awarded a full Scholarship to the Olympic Developmental Academy for two years. In 2016 he declined a Pro Contract with the Ohio Aviators to accept a full Scholarship at Palmer College of Chiropractic. While at Palmer he Co-Captain of the Palmer College Rugby Club and received National honors. Cody has always been known as a leader on and off the rugby pitch. He has played rugby all over the world but his years with MSU are his favorite. To know Cody is to know the sprit of rugby.
Hall of Fame Class of 2023
Jared Johnson - 2014 - 2016
Jared was the President of the club during the two years of the Pandemic. During most of this time the was no "on-campus" events for school or rugby. During this time the club was down to seven members. When other college rugby clubs folded, Jarod, (along with others) kept MSU Rugby alive. With daily communications via email and group chat. He held off campus practice for the remaining team members. In 2022, when they were allowed to return to campus, he held recruiting on and off campus everyday. By the time they were allowed to have matches, MSU Rugby was the only college to field a full side. His comment, "I wanted to keep the MSU Rugby culture alive and pass it on to the next generation. I was not going to let it die."
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Bailey Johnson - 2014 - 2016
Bailey has held the position of Vice-President and Social Media Coordinator. She was voted team MVP for 2015. During her time at MSU she was involved in organizing and playing in several MSU Rugby Alumni weekends. She was selected for the Midwest Select Side Thunderbirds during her time at MSU. After leaving MSU. she played club in Minnesota and for clubs on the West Coast though 2023. After playing rugby in High School, she chose to go to Mankato State to play rugby because of the rugby traditions and high level of play. In her words, "I was given a great rugby career at MSU. It was the best decision of my life."
