Eagles Captain Mike Hercus has officially announced that he is returning to the USA to play for Belmont Shore and the upcoming IRB's North America 4 Tournament.
Hercus has spent the last three years playing professional rugby in the UK, and has recently decided that he wants to move back to the U.S. permanently.
"There are great things happening for rugby in the U.S. right now," Hercus said. "With leadership from Nigel Melville, Peter Thorburn and Kevin Roberts, there isn't a better time to get more actively involved with USA Rugby and I am excited to come back."
Hercus will be arriving back in the States this Wednesday evening with hopes to play with Belmont Shore as early as Saturday in their match against the Denver Barbarians. His immediate flight back home also means Hercus will be available for the NA 4 assembly planned for the first week in April.
Hercus, the USA's all-time leading scorer for the Eagles, returns to flyhalf for Belmont Shore, where he played in 2002-2003 and led Long Beach's Rugby Super League Team to a National title. He will also be added to the U.S. Falcons Team, creating some movement between the two NA4 Teams as Andrew Locke will be moved over to the U.S. Hawks, filling in for a recently injured Jason Kelly. Chad Erskine, another U.S. Team member who is currently playing professionally overseas, was also being considered as an option at flyhalf for the Falcons, but is also listed in the scrumhalf position.
"I think it is very good for USA Rugby that Mike is coming back," USA Head Coach Peter Thorburn said. "He will not only make an immediate impact for the Rugby Super League and the North America 4, but because of the skills and experience he brings to the table, he will do a great service in lifting the standard of play for rugby in America, as he is a role model for his peers and an outstanding player to teach best practices."
Hercus has received a lot of input from several influential members of USA Rugby, and returns to the U.S. with not only an emphasis on developing as an athlete, but also as a business professional.
"Having been a professional rugby player for four years now, it has become imperative to me to maintain balance in my life," Hercus added. "I feel that the best way for me to be productive in everything I do is to be constantly challenged. Therefore I place a huge emphasis on balancing my rugby career with other ventures. I am very mindful of preparing for the future and as long as I can stay connected in the business world without harming my performance on the field, the more valuable I am to my team and my country."
Hercus has already found an opportunity to join a sports marketing firm, in which his primary focus will be managing the sponsorships of rugby events and athletes. The people around Hercus have agreed that getting this balance is important in creating smarter and more focused rugby professionals.
"Mike has an exciting future ahead of him," Nigel Melville, USA Rugby's CEO and President of Rugby said. "Whilst we are making progress in taking the game professional in America, as an organization we have to work with our players to ensure they can deliver professional performances on the field while achieving their goals off it."