Its time for my top ten sports stories of 2021. As is the case each year I, pretty much, do this from the top of my head and could easily miss something that should be on the list or the list could, just as easily be in a different order.
My #10 story is Steve Shepherd entering the Hall of Fame. Shepherd is in his 20th season as the coach of the Bobcats. Actually he was in last years class but Covid-19 forbid the ceremonies from taking place last year.
In his time leading the Bobcats he has led them to a National Championship and three Fab Four’s. Before coming to CofO he was an assistant at Evangel University and was on the Crusaders bench when they won the National Title. His high school coaching career saw stops at Savanah, Marionville, Aurora, and Parkview.
In 2002, Shepherd was introduced as the fourth head coach in the history of College of the Ozarks’ men’s basketball. In his fourth year at the helm, the 2006 Bobcats delivered to College of the Ozarks their first-ever NAIA DII Men’s Basketball National Championship, defeating Huntington University 74-56 in the title game. He was also named NAIA DII National Coach of the Year. In 2015, Shepherd added the role of Athletic Director to his resume, managing the day-to-day responsibilities of the College’s athletic program alongside his coaching responsibilities. He received the honor of being named A.I.I. Athletic Director of the Year in 2016-2017.
In all Shepherd has led his teams to a record of record of 651-282, going into the current season.
