BERKELEY – California rugby Assistant Coach Mike MacDonald was inducted into the U.S. Rugby Hall of Fame earlier this month, becoming the 14th member of the Cal rugby program to earn the distinction.
 
"The feeling is hard to put into words," MacDonald said. "It pleasantly caught me off-guard. It is an honor to be inducted into any hall of fame, but when it's U.S. Rugby, it's really something special."

 

Raised in El Cerrito, California, MacDonald attended Miramonte High School, where he excelled in football and wrestling, and played for the Lamorinda Youth Rugby Club under future Cal Athletics Hall of Famer and former Cal rugby captain and head coach Ned Anderson. MacDonald then entered the Cal ranks in 1999 and went on to win four national championships during his five-year collegiate career, earning MVP honors at his final championship in 2004. The All-American then went on to play an illustrious professional career, both internationally and with the U.S. national team. As an Eagle, he represented his country in three Rugby World Cups (2003, '07 and '11) and broke the previous record of 62 appearances by an American at the 2011 RWC in New Zealand, where he also earned Man of the Match honors in the USA's victory over Russia. He was previously the Man of the Match against Tonga at the 2007 RWC. Concurrently, MacDonald spent six seasons with the English club Leeds Carnegie, where in 2008 he received the twin honors of being voted Players Player of the Year and Supporters Player of the Year. He was also named captain of the Leeds professional side for the following season. MacDonald retired in 2014 as the United States' all-time record holder for international appearances (67) on the national team.
 
"I am thankful and honored to have represented my country," MacDonald said. "In any sport, at any level, it is the highest honor to represent your country, and being able to do so at three rugby world cups is a very special thing."
 
MacDonald played 30 of his matches on the national team for current Cal Associate Head Coach Tom Billups, the national team coach from 2001-06.
 
"We are so very proud of Mike and his accomplishments, especially this Hall of Fame induction," Billups said. "He set the American standard for international loosehead props. Mike's agility and athleticism set him apart from all others. A few great memories from his long career include his national team debut versus Fiji in Apia, Samoa. It was very hot and humid that day and here he is, a 19 year old, competing in very challenging conditions. And of course in 2001 his score versus South Africa in Houston is such an indelible memory. That try kept the U.S. team within reach of the Springboks that day."
 

In his nine years as a coach for the Golden Bears, MacDonald helped lead the team to seven national championships, including five-consecutive 7s titles from 2013-17.
 
"Cal was my starting block," MacDonald said. "Having Coach Clark and Coach Billups as my coaches, they pushed me beyond where I thought I could go. They taught me the lessons that led me to being able to play internationally and then professionally."
 
"Mac was always going to be a Golden Bear," Head Coach Jack Clark said. "His mother worked at UC for 50 years and his father played football and some rugby for Cal. They were all-star parents and I can only imagine how proud they would be of Mike now. Mike was a dominant collegiate player. He was always destined to play and excel in international and professional rugby. As a university and team, we are delighted for Big Mac in this truly well-deserved recognition."
 
With his induction, MacDonald becomes the 14th member of the Cal rugby program to enter the U.S. Rugby Hall of Fame. He joins Billups, (2015), Clark (2014), former head coach Miles "Doc" Hudson, who led the program from 1938-74, Colby "Babe" Slater, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, and nine other Cal players – George Davis, George Fish, Matt Hazeltine, Charles Mehan, Charles Tilden and James Winston in 1920, followed by Ed Graff, George Dixon and Ed Turkington in 1924 – whose USA Olympic gold-medal teams were previously inducted.