Mike Petri

Mike Petri is an international rugby player for the USA Eagles National Rugby Team. He grew up in Brooklyn, NY and made his USA test debut in 2007 at the Rugby World Cup. He has earned over 50 caps for the USA, which inludes serving as Vice Captain of the team at the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

Mike has a degree in Life Science and a minor in Business from Penn State University and a Master's in Secondary Education from St. Joseph's University. He is a math and science as well as a varsity rugby coach at Xavier High School in New York City. He lives in Brooklyn, NY with his family.

R is for Rugby: An Alphabet Book is Mike's debut children's book. In 2013, when his wife was pregnant with their daughter, they started looking for books that were fun, would teach her valuable life lessons, and also ones that would allow them to share aspects of their own lives with her. Mike wanted to share the game of rugby with her and this idea sparked his creativity. He began writing rhymes and illustration ideas on the subway during his commute to work as a teacher. With help and support, the ideas and rhymes written on the N train transformed into a hardcover, vividly illustrated, rhyming picture book that both children and adults can enjoy.