US Rugby Foundation Hall of Fame

2024 Inductees: Victoria Folayan '06 & Denis Shanagher '78

Stanford Rugby is proud to announce the Stanford Rugby alumni in the 2024 US Rugby Hall of Fame: Victoria Folayan '06 and Denis Shanagher '78

May 13, 2024
Steuber Rugby Stadium
Stanford, CA

Victoria Folayan, Class of 2006

Victoria "Vix" Folayan is a 2006 graduate of Stanford University. She was a member of the 2005 and 2006 National Championship teams and went on to represent the USA Eagles in 15s and 7s. She played in the 2010 Rugby World Cup. In 2012, she earned her first cap in rugby 7s and went on to play in the 2013 Rugby World Cup 7s and the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. Vix has an astounding 67 tries to her name in 76 matches for the Eagles.

Vix is a member of the USA Rugby Board of Directors and an athlete representative on Team USA Athlete's Commission. She was recently named head coach of the Washington Athletic Club 7s team in her first season with the WAC.

Congratulations, Vix!

The rugby community is so fortunate to have you back as a coach after years of impact on the pitch.

Read more about Vix

Denis Shanagher, Class of 1978

Denis Shanagher captained Stanford Rugby in 1974-1978. In 1980, he earned his first cap for the USA Eagles 15s team in a match against the All Blacks. He played in the first ever Rugby World Cup in 1987. His USA Rugby career extended into Rugby 7s as well, amongst the first ever USA Rugby 7s team to compete in 1981. He played in the renowned Hong Kong 7s for several years, captaining the squad in '83 and '84.

Denis is the Founder of the Stanford Rugby Foundation and stays strongly committed to the growth of the program as the Chair of the Board of Directors. He also serves on the Board of Directors for USA Rugby and the US Rugby Foundation.

All those who have worked alongside Denis have seen his unmatched commitment to elevating the profile of rugby at Stanford University and for the USA National Teams.

Congratulations, Denis!