Benjamin Erb

Benjamin Edward Erb (December 3, 1892 – June 8, 1988) was an American rugby union player who played fullback for the United States men's national team in its first capped match in 1912.[1]

Benjamin Erb
Erb with the US team in 1912 (pictured front row, sixth from left)
Full nameBenjamin Edward Erb
Date of birth(1892-03-12)March 12, 1892
Place of birthMinneapolis, Minnesota
Date of deathJune 8, 1988(1988-06-08) (aged 96)
Place of deathNovato, California
UniversityStanford University
Rugby union career
Position(s) Fullback
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
1908–1912 Stanford University ()
Correct as of May 26, 2018
National team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
1910–1913 United States 1 (5)
Correct as of May 26, 2018

Biography

Erb was born on December 3, 1892 in Minneapolis, Minnesota,[1] the son of John Erb and Rosa Erb (born Luedke).[2] He was one of 10 children in a rugby-playing family and was raised in Vancouver, British Columbia.[2][3] Erb attended Stanford University from 1908 until 1912, where he played for the rugby team and served as captain during his senior season.[2] In 1910, he began playing rugby for the United States national team, joining them on their tour of Australia and New Zealand against club opposition.[2] On November 16, 1912, Erb played for the United States at fullback in its first capped match against Australia.[1] In that match, he scored one conversion "from a difficult angle" and one penalty goal from a distance of 40 yards.[1][4] Erb was also included in the roster for the United States in their 1913 match against New Zealand, but did not make an appearance.[2] Erb's younger brother, Arthur L. Erb, also attended Stanford and played rugby there.[5]

Outside of rugby, Erb was drafted into the United States Army.[2] He died in Novato, California on June 8, 1988.[2]

References
  1. "Benjamin Erb". espn.co.uk. ESPN. Retrieved May 26, 2018.
  2. "Benjamin Edward Erb". The Rugby History Society. Retrieved May 26, 2018.
  3. "Crack Half Back Rejoins Cardinals". The San Francisco Call. 108 (70). Stanford University. August 9, 1910. p. 13. He comes from a family of Rugby players and has lived all his life among the Rugby squads of British Columbia.
  4. University of California 1913 Yearbook, in "Laird Monterey Morris". The Rugby History Society. Retrieved May 26, 2018. Erb converted from a difficult angle. The next American score came in the middle of the second half, when Erb converted a penalty kick from the forty-yard line.
  5. BOBS. (November 3, 1912). "Rival Colleges Expected to Finish Close Together". The San Francisco Chronicle. CI (111). p. 57. Retrieved January 8, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.


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