Iowa native Mason Koch played in Major League Rugby between 2021-2024. He represented the Austin Gilgronis (2021-2022), the Chicago Hounds (2023) and the New England Free Jacks (2024).

Koch discovered rugby while at high school where he also played football, baseball, and wrestled. He was a founding member of his school’s rugby team and carried this into university at Dartmouth College, helping the team earn four consecutive Ivy League Championship during his tenure. He was drafted 16th overall in MLR’s inaugural Collegiate Draft in 2020 by the Austin Gilgronis, and earned 9 caps (2 starts) during his rookie season, scoring 2 tries. He earned a total of 21 caps for the AGs over 2 seasons, starting 3 times and scoring 3 tries.

Following Austin’s disqualification from the 2022 season prior to the 2022 Championship Series (along with the LA Giltinis) and their subsequent cessation of operations, Koch was selected by the NOLA Gold in the dispersal draft, before being traded to the Chicago Hounds on 2nd December 2022 in exchange for 2023 Salary Cap Considerations. Koch played for the Hounds during their inaugural season in 2023, earning 8 caps including a personal best 4 starts and scored 3 tries, another PB. On 21st November 2023, the New England Free Jacks announce the signing of Mason Koch as a free agent ahead of the 2024 MLR season.

Although his season was hampered by injury, Koch earned 5 appearances for the Free Jacks off the bench during their Shield-Winning 2024 Campaign, passing 100 career tackles completed. He did not return to MLR for the 2025 season, instead playing with the Austin Huns in Texas where he was vice-captain.

Achievements:

• 2024 MLR Champion: New England Free Jacks
• MLR Team of the Week: 2021 – Round 3
• MLR Draftee: 2020 – 2nd Round (16th Overall) – Austin Gilgronis