The Seattle Seawolves re-signed Mike Shepherd for the 2021 Major League Rugby season. The 31-year-old hooker is 6’1″ and 255 lbs.
Mike played in four matches, starting twice, during the truncated 2020 MLR season.
Mike played well to begin the 2019 season before an injury derailed his season. In the four matches he played, he made the most of his 64 minutes of playing time, carrying six times for 20 meters and making six tackles.
Mike also helped the team win the 2018 MLR Championship, playing 137 minutes in five matches, and played with the Seattle Saracens in the BC Rugby Premier League.
Mike was born in Brownsburg, Indiana. He 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 and in 2007 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 from 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.
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