The Chicago Hounds signed Michael Matarazzo for the 2023 inaugural Major League Rugby season. The 24-year-old lock/No.8 (25 in May) is 6’5″ and 240 lbs.
Michael played 1,016 minutes in 14 matches, starting 13 at lock and back-row with the Dallas Jackals during the 2022 MLR season.
He played 40 minutes in one start for the Ratlers making his MLR debut in the final week of 2021 play against the New England Free Jacks. In August, he was selected to compete on the U23 7s National team at Rugbytown 7s. He toured with the USA Selects in Uruguay.
Mike is from Staten Island, NY, and went to Monsignor Farrell High School. His passion in high school was baseball and was an All-NY City Selection as a high school senior.
He attended the University of Notre Dame in 2016 and was introduced to rugby. His athletic ability, work ethic, and leadership qualities contributed to his rapid development in the sport of rugby. Following his Sophomore year, Mike was named an Honorable Mention All-American served as team captain his junior and senior seasons, and was the Club President his senior year. He will be the first Notre Dame graduate to play professionally in the United States league, with Nick Civetta, class of 2011, the team’s first professional, who played first in Italy and currently in France, as well as with the USA National Team.
Prior to the 2021 Major League Rugby season, Mike competed for Durham University of England, where he accepted a scholarship for his graduate studies.
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