Seattle Seawolves & Mike Shepherd

The Seattle Seawolves announced the signing of University of Utah graduate and four-time Collegiate All-American, Mike Shepherd. He plays hooker, is 28 years old, is 6’1″ tall and weighs 255 pounds.

Shepherd was born in Brownsburg, Indiana, attended Brownsburg High School from 2004-2008 and played for Brownsburg Rugby Football Club. While there he was selected to the 1st team All-state team in Indiana sand in 2007 he was selected for the USA Rugby Under-18s HS All-American team, which toured England.

He also represented the USA U-20s in 2007 through 2009. The team toured ireland in 2007, Wales in 2008 for the Junior World Cup and Kenya in 2009 for the Junior World Trophy Tournament.

Following his graduation form high school in 2008, he attended Indiana University and then transferred in 2010 to the University of Utah where he graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism – Sports Management in 2013.

While at Indiana University, Shepherd was selected as a Midwest Collegiate All-star and Collegiate All-American in 2009 and 2010 while serving as Co-Captain. At the University of Utah he again served as Co-Captain, and also earned Collegiate All-American honors in 2012 and 2013. The All-Americans toured Ireland and New Zealand, respectively those years.

Since 2013 Shepherd has played club rugby with the Seattle Saracens, although the club was Seattle-OPSB when he joined. He was a co-captain of the team. He also has played rugby 7s with the Washington Athletic Club in 2016-2017.

Shepherd continued his National team involvement playing in 2015 for the USA Rugby Select XVs against Uruguay and Argentina in their tour of South America.

Shepherd has also made contributions to youth rugby in the Seattle area. He volunteered his time with the Ruggerpalooza with the Liberty Rugby Club. He also has helped to grow the sport with Atavus Rugby.

Comments

Head Coach Tony Healy said, “Mike comes to us with an abundance of domestic and international experience. We are counting on the power and stability we know he will bring to our forward pack, as well as the leadership that he can provide up front.”

Shepherd said that “Competing professionally for Seattle is an honor and a dream come true. Since graduating, Seattle has become my home, and I am proud to represent the great Northwest in the inaugural season of Major League Rugby.”

The Seattle Seawolves inaugural season kicks off on April 22 against the San Diego Legion at Starfire Stadium in Tukwila. Tickets are available now by visiting www.SeattleSeawolves.com.

ABOUT THE SEATTLE SEAWOLVES

A founding member of Major League Rugby (MLR), the Seattle Seawolves kick off their inaugural season in 2018 at Starfire Stadium in Tukwila, Washington. With an ownership group led by Seattle-based entrepreneurs Adrian Balfour and Shane Skinner, the organization strives to develop, cultivate and expand the game of rugby in the U.S. while fostering discipline, duty, respect and a spirit of inclusion both on and off the pitch. Through community outreach efforts, the Seattle Seawolves fulfill a key pillar of the franchise’s philosophy, enriching the Puget Sound region’s youth through engagement, leadership, and service.

Select Major League Rugby games will be televised on the CBS Sports Network as part of an exclusive, multi-year television partnership between MLR and the television network. Season tickets are now on sale; to purchase, please visit www.SeattleSeawolves.com.