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Hall of Fame Welcomes Toby Persson
Toby Persson joined the Kangaroos as a player in 2000, when his brother and fellow Hall of Famer, Jeff Persson, said, "I'm going try out for the Nashville Kangaroos", to which Toby replied, "Hang on, I'll go with you". Back then, Try-Outs consisted of being able to write a check to the Nashville Kangaroos for $50 that did not bounce.
While those standards my not have been tough, Toby sure was. He loved the physical nature of footy and found his niche in the Kangaroos backline, becoming an anchor in one of the fiercest defensive units in USAFL history. Toby prided himself on hammering any opposing player unfortunate enough to come within range. In one particular Barassi Cup game he actually broke a goal post while diving to prevent a goal (he touched it for a behind). Not known for being quiet, you always knew when Toby was on the field; his signature phrase was a raucus, "Let's go, Rooboys!" that was heard in every corner of the field.
From 2000 to 2004, Toby did not miss a single game, winning MAAFL championships with the Kangaroos in 2000 and 2002. In 2005, Toby retired after 75 games due to a foot injury. Wanting to remain an active member of the club, he switched to goal umpiring, and has now umpired over 50 games. In 2007, he was one of the two Americans to be the first to be awarded Goal Umpire Level 1 Accreditation and has been awarded the privilege to umpire the Division I Grand Final at Nationals in four of the past five years.
Toby is known off the field for his love of trucks, especially his Scout and International Harvester, and the club takes advantage of this, too - Toby serves as the club engineer, making sure all our game day production goes without a hitch. A Kangaroo through and through, it is with great pleasure that we take this moment to honor Toby for his decade of service.
Congratulations, Toby, on your induction into the Hall of Fame.
Meet Hall of Famer: Toby Persson
Member since: 2000
Games Played: 75
MAAFL Championship Teams: 2 (2000 and 2002)
Goal Umpire Games: 50
USAFL Goal Umpire Level 1
One of the two Americans to be the first ever accredited at Level 1 Goal
Umpire
Family: Brother Jeff Persson
