Background
Gross was born in Decatur, Indiana.
Gross was born in Decatur, Indiana.
A lock who played for various club sides, he earned 62 caps for the United States between 1996 and 2003. Gross was the all-time caps leader for the United States, until Mike MacDonald broke his record in 2011. Since retiring as a player, Gross has served as a rugby administrator and coach.
He has been the Head Coach of the Sacramento Public Relations Officer Rugby team since February 2016.
Gross played basketball for Indiana State University and for Marshall University for two seasons (1991-1992 and 1992-1993). Gross started his rugby career far later than most international players, even those from countries like the United States where rugby is not a major sport, not taking up the sport seriously until age 24, after he had attended university.
He began his rugby career with the Cincinnati Wolfhounds. Gross was spotted by Dick Best, coach of the Harlequins.
Gross" 6"9" frame gave him a considerable presence in the line-out.
Gross earned 62 caps in 61 starts for the United States from 1996 to 2003, including 7 starts at the 1999 and 2003 Rugby World Cups. Gross played his first test for the United States. in 1996 against Ireland. Although he was named to the United States of America squad for the 2007 Rugby World Cup, and played in the 2007 squad"s final warmup against Celtic League side Munster, he did not play in the World Cup itself.
Gross last played rugby for the Doncaster Knights, who play in National Division One, the second level of the game in England.
Clubs
Harlequins Football Club
Rugby Rovigo
Rugby Roma
Llanelli Scarlets
Rotherham Titans
Newcastle Falcons
Doncaster Knights
Sheffield Tigers
Gross has worked for several years at the United States of America Rugby National Office in Boulder, Colorado as the High Performance Player Development Manager, helping and coaching at United States of America Eagles and All-Americans camps. In February 2016, Gross was announced as the head coach of the new Sacramento Public Relations Officer Rugby team
