Sheppard Selected For McQuaid Medal for Distinguished Service
3/27/2024 9:02:00 AM | Baseball
South Orange, N.J. -- Seton Hall baseball head coach Rob Sheppard has been named a 2024 recipient of the Bishop Bernard J. McQuaid Medal for Distinguished Service, one of the University's highest honors that recognizes outstanding community members who embody the ideals of servant leadership.
This honor is awarded to long-serving employees for their commitment to the University's mission and for providing outstanding service to the University by doing exceptional work in their own position and the larger University community. Sheppard becomes one of only a handful of individuals associated with Seton Hall Athletics to be bestowed with this honor. He most notably joins his father, Mike Sheppard, Sr., and another legend of the Seton Hall baseball program, Owen T. Carroll, to receive the McQuaid Medal.
Rob Sheppard was named the head coach of the Seton Hall baseball program on June 30, 2004, becoming the 17th head coach in the history of the baseball program, and just the third since 1948. He inherited a winning tradition and legacy left by his father, Mike Sheppard, Sr., who won 998 games in 31 years as coach from 1973-2003.
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Prior to being elevated to head coach, Sheppard served as an assistant coach for seven seasons under his father, and associate head coach for two seasons.
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Since taking over, Sheppard has continued to foster the culture of hard work on the field and academic excellence created by his father. During his 20 years at the helm, he has mentored six All-Americans and 71 Pirates that have earned All-BIG EAST honors. Furthermore, 40 of his Pirates have gone on to sign professional baseball contracts with Major League Baseball affiliated franchises, including seven in 2018, a program record.
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Sheppard's 20 years at the helm rank third all-time at Seton Hall behind only Hall of Famers Mike Sheppard, Sr. and Owen T. Carroll. His 520 victories are second only to his father.
