Shepherd Looks To Wrap Up Career With Success

Sept. 12, 2000

Since Pete Shepherd took over the starting duties against Ball State in 1997 he has steadily improved every year. There is no reason why his senior season shouldn't be his best ever as a Chippewa.

Shepherd enters the 2000 campaign with a new coach and a load of confidence.

"Coach (Mike) DeBord told me that your senior season should be your best," Shepherd said. "I have never felt this confident going into a season."

If this confidence carries into the season and Shepherd performs as well as he has in the past, then he has an opportunity to become the top quarterback in the Central Michigan record books.

Pete is second behind CMU great Jeff Bender in three major career passing categories. After the Purdue game, he trails by just 1,598 yards in passing yards, by 210 in passing attempts and by 119 in career passes completed. All of these records are well within his grasp considering that last season he completed 171 of 320 passes for 2,295 yards.

With all this talk of all-time records going on around, Pete manages to keep a level head.

"I thought about it (the records) last year after the season was over and I could sit back and take it all in," Shepherd said. "But, once I started thinking about this season, those thoughts left my mind. Coach DeBord stresses a team over a self mentality."

Although these records are definitely attainable it is not a forgone conclusion that they will be achieved. With the new season brought a new head coach and a new offensive style.

"I had a good relationship with coach (Dick) Flynn but is was time for a change," said Shepherd. "CMU made an excellent choice in picking DeBord, I respect him immensely. He is completely honest with us about everything and he pushes us to be the best that we can be. I think that what he does will make us successful."

DeBord announced midway through fall camp that Shepherd would share playing time with redshirt freshman Derrick Vickers.

"It wasn't a big shock to me, we had a new coach and a new offense so I new that changes would be made," said Shepherd. "I wasn't happy but it made me work harder to make myself better because it took away the security that I had for the past couple of seasons."

Although he may not be the full-time quarterback, Pete still has an edge because he has the experience that it takes to win games.

"I have started two full seasons and have been in a lot of different situations," Pete continued. "But, I think that the combination of Derrick and I will be best for the team. I agree with the decision fully, he deserves a chance to show his talents."

To his advantage, Pete comes into this season a lot lighter than last year thanks to new quarterbacks coach Scot Loeffler. Loeffler implemented a new workout routine for the quarterbacks that helped Pete go from 229 to 201 pounds and helped his throwing. Losing weight was something that was on his mind.

"Coach Loeffler said I needed to trim down before the season started," said Pete. "It has really helped my throwing style because I was too bulky before."

Shepherd also credits the new Indoor Athletic Complex (IAC) with helping him to prepare for the 2000 season.

"The IAC is an awesome facility and it has been a big help in the offseason, all of the quarterbacks have really gotten great use out of it," said Shepherd.

All the hard work that Pete has put in did not go unnoticed, Shepherd was named captain by his teammates along with fellow senior Brian Leigeb. This is the first time in years that Central has named captains before the season and was a big honor to Pete.

"I don't know how to describe it," exclaimed Pete. "I base myself on hard work and discipline and this means a lot to me because it means that my teammates noticed what I have been doing."

Shepherd came to Central from nearby Mount Pleasant High School where he earned three letters in track, two in football and one in wrestling. He was ranked 19th in the Detroit Free Press Fab 50 poll and was highly recruited by all the MAC schools, but Pete said there was never a doubt in his mind about coming to CMU.

"I started going to Central's football camp in 7th grade through high school and I knew all the coaches here and is was close to my family and especially my mother," said Pete.

Pete's mother, Sue Shepherd, is an important part of his life. She hasn't missed a single football game, whether it was on the road or at home, since he started playing in ninth grade.

"My mom is my rock, I feel like she is an angel looking over me at all times," said Shepherd.

Leaving CMU will be sad for Shepherd. He is a logistics, marketing and production operations management major and plans to move out east and work in a large manufacturing firm upon graduating in May.

"I have no regrets, it's been a wonderful five years," said Pete. "I have learned a lot about life and the game of football. I'd like to thank my family, especially my mom and sister, for being supportive and my friends for always standing by me."

by Caleb Buhs, Sports Information Assistant

Central Michigan University Athletics

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