A home boy who starred scholastically at nearby tradition-rich Cardinal Mooney High School, Rick Shepas played for the Penguins from 1983 to 1986, earning four letters during an action packed collegiate career.
His first three seasons were spent as a member of Head Coach Bill Narduzzi's squads, then he helped welcome Head Coach Jim Tressel to YSU in 1986 as a member of the current head coach's maiden squad his senior season.
A hard-nosed gridder with a knack to get the job done in any fashion, he served as co-captain his senior season and earned Ohio Valley Conference Honorable Mention laurels that year as well. With 150 career receptions, he is tied (with former receiver Trent Boykin) for second on the all-time YSU receivers list while his 10 receptions in a game and 2,263 career receiving yards are second best all-time at YSU as well. He also caught nine passes (tied for fifth) in a single game twice, the first time against the University of Cincinnati (September 14, 1985) and the second time later that same season against Morehead State University (November 22, 1985.)
He is ranked in the top five all-time in five other receiving categories, and is fourth and eighth respectively in receiving yards in a season, the former accomplished during the 1985 (959 yards) campaign and the latter just one season later (821 yards).
His 61 catches (1985) and 54 receptions (1986) in a single season still rank him third and fifth respectively in single season bests while his 195 receiving yards in a game (against Eastern Kentucky University on October 28, 1985) places him third in that category as well.
His success on the playing field followed him after he received his AB degree in Physical Education from YSU in 1987. He spent a brief time as a loan officer at a local bank, then taught and coached at Alliance High School and at Poland Seminary High School where he posted a 27-7 overall mark at the latter in three seasons as head coach. He had three straight league titles, two straight playoff appearances and led his team to the 1995 Ohio state semifinal game in his division.
Currently the head football coach at Seneca Valley High School (he was hired this past April), he also teaches Health and Physical Education at the school while keeping his team most visible and involved at many of that area's community functions.
Married to the former Christine DiVincenzo, a former YSU cheerleader, they are the proud parents of two daughters; Marla and Katie.
They reside in Poland.
