Callum Robinson, the Big Koala, Mourned by Lacrosse Community

Callum Robinson, a 2013 NCAA Division III national champion with Stevenson, professional player in both Major League Lacrosse and the Premier Lacrosse League, and a member of the Australian men’s national team, is being mourned by the lacrosse community after tragic news emerged this week that he, his brother, Jake, and their friend, Jack Carter Rhoad, went missing on a surfing trip in Mexico.

Robinson, 33, was missing for nearly a week in Mexico, not far from the California border. The trio did not appear at the Airbnb that they had booked for Saturday, April 27.

As the search heightened, Robinson’s white Chevrolet pickup truck was found burnt out. Three people — two men and a woman who was found with drugs and one of the trio’s phones — were arrested in connection to their disappearance.

According to CBS News, Mexican authorities found three bodies in Baja California in the town of Santo Tomas.

Stevenson athletic director Brett Adams issued a statement Saturday morning in which Mustangs head coach Paul Cantabene remembered Robinson — nicknamed the Big Koala — and his out-of-this world personality.

“We have so many special memories of Cal,” Cantabene said. “The funny thing about him was that he was everyone’s best friend and got along with everyone. But on the field, he was a problem. Big, fast, rigid and flat-out just good. We are all so thankful that he was a part of our lives. He lived an extraordinary life, but what is most impressive about Callum is what a loyal friend he was. Once you were his friend, you were friends for life. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the Robinson family. We thank you for being such tremendous people and sharing your son with us.”

Robinson was featured in USA Lacrosse Magazine's "Off the Field" series back in 2015.

Cantabene wasn’t the only one to fondly remember Robinson, who was known just as much for his on-field exploits as his long, flowing hair and his magnetic personality.

pic.twitter.com/M65dRR9dsz

— Premier Lacrosse League (@PremierLacrosse) May 4, 2024

You gave more smiles, more love, more friendship, more gratitude, more motivation, more support, more effort, always more. You gave us better. Now the heavens just got better. Forever, Cal 🕊️🐨💔 pic.twitter.com/eBhkZnzkEZ

— Paul Rabil (@PaulRabil) May 4, 2024

To the Big Koala 🐨, 

In your memory we’ll only love harder, smile brighter, party harder and enjoy the precious time we all have left here ❤️‍🩹

Thanks for being you. 

Cheers Cal 🍻 pic.twitter.com/eRy5W85Esk

— RJ Kaminski (@RJKaminski) May 4, 2024

Aside from his status as a Team Australia fixture, Robinson was drafted 25th overall in 2015 by the Chesapeake Bayhawks. He was part of the PLL’s first season, starting 11 games for the Atlas in 2019.