By BOB SHRALUKA
WZBD.com
“I’m the luckiest person in the world. I look back and I’m so fortunate that I’m making a living doing what I love,” Luke Gross said over the phone.
The Decatur native has just been appointed general manager of USA Rugby and the College Rugby Association of America (CRAA).
“As an admired steward of the game, through his time earning 62 caps with the USA Men’s Eagles and decades-long experience administering community rugby, Luke assumed the newly formed General Manager position with sights set on strengthening the college rugby landscape, on and off the pitch,” the CRAA said in a news release.
Gross has been head coach and Director of Rugby for the Men’s Rugby Club at Indiana University for the past five years.
A statement issued by IU Rugby, Friends and Family said: “Over the past five seasons, his service has greatly impacted the Hoosier Rugby family. His dedication has helped lay a foundation that will continue to be built upon for years to come. We wish him the best in this next chapter!”
Gross will transition from his current role with IU to USA Rugby during the month of October, ensuring the Indiana program is supported and set up for new leadership upon his full time departure, the CRAA said.
BODY ABUSE: Luke is now 57 years old – “with an 80-year-old body,” he laughed in the phone conversation with WZBD.com.
“Your body takes a lot of abuse in 13 years of professional rugby,” he had said a few years ago.
The IU job, which brought him back to Indiana after many years, came along at just the right time.
IU has “been a great experience,” the big fella (6-9) explained. “I was so burned out in the pro game. I got so burned out I was ready to step away, I really was.
“Then I got this call about the IU job. And it’s been great. I fell back in love with the game.”
At this point, whether he and the family will continue to reside in Bloomington is up in the air.
“I have some options,” he noted. “We can live wherever we want … so long as it’s close to an airport,” he chuckled.
Luke and Melanie have two youngsters, a boy, 10, and a girl, 8.
Luke also has two sons, 17 and 15, living with their mother in the United Kingdom. He said he and the boys “go back and forth, so it’s good.”
Gross played football and basketball at Bellmont, graduated in ’88, then moved on to play basketball at Indiana State University and later Marshall University.
He didn’t get involved in rugby until the mid-1990s, when he was 24. That eventually lead to a 13-year professional career, playing for teams in England, Wales and Italy, and he became an international rugby star.
Luke has a brother, Matt, who’s still in Indiana, and Stephanie Gross Yarrington, who lives in Mesa, Arizona.
His folks, Paul and Kathie, are deceased, as is a sister, Katie.
KEY STEP: CRAA President, Paul Keeler said in a news release, “This is an important step for college rugby. We are putting full-time leadership in place, whose primary responsibility is the collegiate game. That matters.
“There is a lot of opportunity in front of us, but taking advantage of it requires consistent attention, stronger relationships and someone accountable for moving the work forward.
“Luke brings a combination of experience that is difficult to replicate. He has played at the highest level, coached the college game and spent years working in player development and rugby administration.
“He represents both the game, and the people in it.
“More than anything, this role is about stewardship. Luke understands that leadership in college rugby requires stewardship in the form of supporting the people doing the work, creating opportunities for our athletes and programs, and building something stronger for the next generation. We’re excited to have him leading that effort.”
In the news release, Gross said, “I put my hand up for this role because I believe in college rugby and what it can become. I have spent most of my life in the game as a player, coach, and program builder, and I felt this is an opportunity to use that experience to help the college game on a larger scale.
“I am a builder, and I enjoy bringing people together, solving problems, and helping programs grow. I am excited about the opportunity to strengthen college rugby, support our member institutions, and improve the overall experience for our student-athletes, coaches, and administrators.
“Our overall goal is to strengthen and unite the college game at all levels while creating the best possible experience for our student-athletes and programs. We need to listen to our members, improve communication, build stronger relationships, and provide meaningful, well-organized competitions,”he continued.
“College rugby is an important part of the player pathway in the United States. As we build toward the LA28 Olympics, and Men’s and Women’s Rugby World Cups being hosted here in 2031 and 2033, we have both a tremendous opportunity and responsibility to bring the college rugby community together.
“We have a great deal of work ahead of us, but if we can bring the right people together, remain focused on our student-athletes, and help build a stronger pathway to our national teams, I believe we can create something very special and take college rugby in US to the next level.”
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