WAYNESBURG HIRES OHIO NATIVE RICK SHEPAS AS HEAD FOOTBALL COACH
WAYNESBURG COLLEGE SPORTS INFORMATION NEWS RELEASE http://sports.waynesburg.edu/football/052605.htm
Photo gallery from the news conference are available at the following link:
http://sports.waynesburg.edu/football/052605gallery.htm
WAYNESBURG, Pa. (May 26) - The Waynesburg College football program looks to continue to build upon its recent success in 2005 under the direction of new head coach Rick Shepas. Shepas was officially announced as head coach on Thursday morning at a news conference hosted by the Waynesburg College Department of Athletics. He arrives to the Yellow Jackets after posting a 97-35 overall record in the high school ranks, earning seven coach of the year honors, winning four league titles and coaching seven playoff teams.
"I am very humbled by this opportunity to coach at Waynesburg. I believe that in Division III that I will find the balance in academics and athletics," said Shepas on Thursday. "It was a unique experience for me to have the opportunity to head coach at Massillon and obviously I'm very thankful to Massillon, the community of Massillon and also the rich tradition for laying the foundation in preparing to have the opportunity to be here at Waynesburg."
Shepas most recently served the past seven seasons as head coach at Massillon, one of the most prominent high school athletic programs in the country. While with the Tigers, he posted a 53-28 (.654) record and became one of only two coaches in school history to win 12 games in a season.
"I charged the search committee to get a solid person and a solid family, but a successful head coach who's operated in a high-level and pressure program," Waynesburg College President Timothy Thyreen. "We got the person that we believe can fit the mission of the institution, the collegiate academic search and spiritual life and athletics and football third."
In just his second season at Massillon, Shepas guided the Tigers to an undefeated regular season and a playoff appearance. The Tigers success continued in 2000 when they finished 8-3 and again made the playoffs.
Massillon earned back-to-back regional championships in 2001 and 2002 under Shepas and in 2002 made it to the semifinals, which it lost in overtime.
For his coaching efforts with the Tigers, Shepas received Coach of the Year from the Canton Repository in 2001 and 2002, while earning Stark County Coach of the Year in 1999.
"I think it's unique in the 21st century that a high school football coach be given this opportunity," said Shepas. "I take this commitment to Waynesburg College very seriously and obviously believe in the mission statement that involves faith, learning and serving."
Shepas, a graduate of Cardinal Mooney High School in Youngstown, Ohio, played collegiate football with nearby Youngstown State. As a wide receiver during his junior season with the Penguins, he posted 61 receptions for 959 yards, both single-season totals still rank among the top five in school history. For his efforts, he received an all-Ohio Valley Conference selection and two team awards, Most Valuable Player and Most Outstanding Offensive Player.
In 1986, his senior season at Youngstown State, Shepas was named a team captain and played for then first-year head coach and current Ohio State University head football coach Jim Tressel.
Shepas finished his career and currently ranks in second place in YSU history with 150 career receptions and 2,263 receiving yards.
After graduating from Youngstown State in 1987 with a degree in Sports Management, Shepas attended a pair of National Football League camps, including mini camp with the Cleveland Browns and training camp with the Green Bay Packers.
Shepas finished his playing career in 1988 when he signed with the Pittsburgh Gladiators of the Arena Football League.
He started his coaching career in 1989 when he served as secondary and receivers coach for Alliance (Ohio) High School before accepting the defensive coordinator position at Poland (Ohio) Seminary High School in 1990.
Shepas served in that role until 1993 when he became the head coach at Poland, where he guided the team to three-straight Metro Athletic Conference titles, including the school's first playoff appearance and a regional championship.
In 1996, Shepas accepted the head football coaching position at Seneca Valley High School in Harmony, Pa. In his second season, he coached the Raiders to the WPIAL semifinals and won the AAAA North Conference title after defeating North Allegheny, who was ranked No. 1 in the state. He received North Conference Coach of the Year honors and coached in the Big 33 All-Star Classic during his stint at Seneca Valley.
Following Seneca Valley, Shepas became the head football coach at Massillon Washington High School, where the legendary Paul Brown coached from 1932-40. In 1998, Shepas accepted the position of Athletic Director at Massillon, while still serving as head football coach.
Shepas earned his Master of Education from Ashland University in 1991 and served as a speaker at Nike Clinics in Pittsburgh and Cincinnati, in addition to attending clinics at his alma mater Youngstown State, Michigan State and the University of Kentucky.
In 1996, Shepas was inducted into the Youngstown State University Hall of Fame and two years later received a similar honor from his high school alma mater, induction into the Cardinal Mooney High School Hall of Fame.
His family includes his wife, Christine, and their three children, Maria, Katie and Gina.
Matt Kifer
Sports Information Director
Waynesburg College
724.852.3334
http://sports.waynesburg.edu
Photo gallery from the news conference are available at the following link:
http://sports.waynesburg.edu/football/052605gallery.htm
WAYNESBURG, Pa. (May 26) - The Waynesburg College football program looks to continue to build upon its recent success in 2005 under the direction of new head coach Rick Shepas. Shepas was officially announced as head coach on Thursday morning at a news conference hosted by the Waynesburg College Department of Athletics. He arrives to the Yellow Jackets after posting a 97-35 overall record in the high school ranks, earning seven coach of the year honors, winning four league titles and coaching seven playoff teams.
"I am very humbled by this opportunity to coach at Waynesburg. I believe that in Division III that I will find the balance in academics and athletics," said Shepas on Thursday. "It was a unique experience for me to have the opportunity to head coach at Massillon and obviously I'm very thankful to Massillon, the community of Massillon and also the rich tradition for laying the foundation in preparing to have the opportunity to be here at Waynesburg."
Shepas most recently served the past seven seasons as head coach at Massillon, one of the most prominent high school athletic programs in the country. While with the Tigers, he posted a 53-28 (.654) record and became one of only two coaches in school history to win 12 games in a season.
"I charged the search committee to get a solid person and a solid family, but a successful head coach who's operated in a high-level and pressure program," Waynesburg College President Timothy Thyreen. "We got the person that we believe can fit the mission of the institution, the collegiate academic search and spiritual life and athletics and football third."
In just his second season at Massillon, Shepas guided the Tigers to an undefeated regular season and a playoff appearance. The Tigers success continued in 2000 when they finished 8-3 and again made the playoffs.
Massillon earned back-to-back regional championships in 2001 and 2002 under Shepas and in 2002 made it to the semifinals, which it lost in overtime.
For his coaching efforts with the Tigers, Shepas received Coach of the Year from the Canton Repository in 2001 and 2002, while earning Stark County Coach of the Year in 1999.
"I think it's unique in the 21st century that a high school football coach be given this opportunity," said Shepas. "I take this commitment to Waynesburg College very seriously and obviously believe in the mission statement that involves faith, learning and serving."
Shepas, a graduate of Cardinal Mooney High School in Youngstown, Ohio, played collegiate football with nearby Youngstown State. As a wide receiver during his junior season with the Penguins, he posted 61 receptions for 959 yards, both single-season totals still rank among the top five in school history. For his efforts, he received an all-Ohio Valley Conference selection and two team awards, Most Valuable Player and Most Outstanding Offensive Player.
In 1986, his senior season at Youngstown State, Shepas was named a team captain and played for then first-year head coach and current Ohio State University head football coach Jim Tressel.
Shepas finished his career and currently ranks in second place in YSU history with 150 career receptions and 2,263 receiving yards.
After graduating from Youngstown State in 1987 with a degree in Sports Management, Shepas attended a pair of National Football League camps, including mini camp with the Cleveland Browns and training camp with the Green Bay Packers.
Shepas finished his playing career in 1988 when he signed with the Pittsburgh Gladiators of the Arena Football League.
He started his coaching career in 1989 when he served as secondary and receivers coach for Alliance (Ohio) High School before accepting the defensive coordinator position at Poland (Ohio) Seminary High School in 1990.
Shepas served in that role until 1993 when he became the head coach at Poland, where he guided the team to three-straight Metro Athletic Conference titles, including the school's first playoff appearance and a regional championship.
In 1996, Shepas accepted the head football coaching position at Seneca Valley High School in Harmony, Pa. In his second season, he coached the Raiders to the WPIAL semifinals and won the AAAA North Conference title after defeating North Allegheny, who was ranked No. 1 in the state. He received North Conference Coach of the Year honors and coached in the Big 33 All-Star Classic during his stint at Seneca Valley.
Following Seneca Valley, Shepas became the head football coach at Massillon Washington High School, where the legendary Paul Brown coached from 1932-40. In 1998, Shepas accepted the position of Athletic Director at Massillon, while still serving as head football coach.
Shepas earned his Master of Education from Ashland University in 1991 and served as a speaker at Nike Clinics in Pittsburgh and Cincinnati, in addition to attending clinics at his alma mater Youngstown State, Michigan State and the University of Kentucky.
In 1996, Shepas was inducted into the Youngstown State University Hall of Fame and two years later received a similar honor from his high school alma mater, induction into the Cardinal Mooney High School Hall of Fame.
His family includes his wife, Christine, and their three children, Maria, Katie and Gina.
Matt Kifer
Sports Information Director
Waynesburg College
724.852.3334
http://sports.waynesburg.edu
posted by Don @ 5/26/2005 03:13:00 PM
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