By Serena Toscani, Banner Staff

Ilona Maher has become one of the most recognizable faces in women’s sports, rising to fame as a dominant force in rugby—but her impact extends far beyond the pitch. 

Born and raised in Burlington, Vermont, Maher was a multi-sport athlete from a young age, participating in field hockey, basketball, and softball alongside her two sisters. Maher was recruited to play rugby at Quinnipiac University in 2015, where she was a key player, contributing to the Bobcats’ three consecutive National Intercollegiate Rugby Association (NIRA) championships. 

While at Quinnipiac, Maher competed semi-professionally with Scion Rugby Academy, where she impressed USA Rugby coaches Richie Walker and Emilie Bydwell. Shortly after graduating  in 2018, she was selected for the USA Rugby Sevens team, marking the beginning of her professional career. Maher’s talent ultimately earned her a spot on Team USA for the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she scored “tries” or touchdowns in all three group-stage matches. After a tough semifinal loss to New Zealand, the eventual gold medalist, Maher helped the U.S. bounce back with a victory over Australia, winning the bronze medal. 

Off the field, Maher’s impact extended to social media, where her behind-the-scenes content from the Olympic Village quickly made her a TikTok sensation. One of her most viral videos from Paris featured her reaction to the much-anticipated Olympic Village dining hall, giving lighthearted and hilarious food reviews. Giulia Vitolo ’25 reflected, “I often came across Ilona Maher’s social media posts during the Olympic season. She showed a more human side to the game, like goofing around with her teammates. I admire her humor and authenticity, and I’m sure she inspires many young athletes.”

Maher also used her rising platform to challenge stereotypes and outdated perceptions of women in rugby. Following the Olympics, she openly spoke to AP News about the obstacles she faces as a woman in a historically male-dominated sport: “I think the stereotype around a rugby player is this idea that you need to drop your femininity and play a very masculine, brutal sport… Myself and my team are showing that femininity. We are doing our makeup before games, wearing makeup, wanting to feel pretty out there.”

Following her Olympic success, Maher joined the cast of Dancing with the Stars in the fall of 2024, bringing her athleticism and competitiveness to a new stage. On social media, she highlighted the challenges of stepping outside her comfort zone while maintaining her humor and positive mindset. Gracie Zhou ’26, commented, “It was inspiring to watch Ilona take on something completely different from rugby. I also liked that she wasn’t afraid to embrace both her athleticism and dancing skills.” 

After months of rigorous training, Maher and her dance partner, Allen Bersten, finished in second place in the Dancing with the Stars finale. Although she didn’t take home the mirrorball trophy, she undoubtedly left a lasting mark by inspiring young female athletes to face challenges on and off the field.