Kevin Lydon

High School Boys Coach

Bio

Introduced to rugby in 2008, Kevin played with the Arlington Stallions as part of Rugby Illinois' inaugural middle school season. He continued to play with the Stallions all 4 years of highschool and as a player of the Illinois Tornados Select Side.

Kevin earned a scholarship to play collegiate rugby at Davenport University from 2012-2016. Returning to the Chicago suburbs to help coach the Arlington Stallions summer 7s program from 2013 - 2018, he led the program to 4 state titles.

Kevin joined the Chicago Lions men's senior side in the fall of 2016 and is still currently an active member of the team. In 2021 as Rugby Illinois began to rebound from COVID-19 Kevin became the interim head coach and eventually made his way into a full time coaching role. In the first two full seasons back to highschool competition, the boys team finished the 2022 season in 3rd place and the 2023 season as State Champions.

A coaching style described as, "Player Led" Kevin focuses on training technical skills paired with situational decision making. A tandem Kevin has noted is applicable beyond the rugby field and into life beyond sports.