Wednesday, May 24, 2006 10:22 AM CDT
Keeping her eye on the ball
By Bonnie Clark, Features Writer
Student manages CHS teams in preparation for career as a sports trainer
Charleston High School student Lindsey Shepherd, 17, received honors recently for her efforts in football. She doesn’t play, although she can quote statistics, talk about plays and can usually tell how many yards a penalty will be before the official makes the announcement.
Shepherd, a junior honor student, completed her second year as student assistant or team manager and plans to return next year.
An all-around sports enthusiast, Shepherd doesn’t play any sports, but she does have an impressive knowledge about many in addition to football, including basketball, soccer, volleyball and baseball. And it’s difficult to choose one she likes best.
“I love all sports,” she said. “I’d have to say college basketball is my favorite to watch, right up there with football, but I love baseball, and I love watching my brother pole vault. I love them all.”
Shepherd was nominated by CHS football coach Brian Halsey and was named a national award winner in football. Her name will appear in the United States Achievement Academy’s official yearbook.
“She has really worked hard for us,” Halsey said. “She’s out there early before every practice. She gets the ice and water ready, drives the golf cart around, sets up drills, sets the agility bags out. She gets everything ready for us to get out there and coach.”
Athletic trainer Jennifer Staskiewicz also has high praise for Shepherd:
“She singlehandedly took care of being the team manager. She was the only one this year, too. She was there, rain or shine, to do anything anybody needed. And, she knows her football,” Staskiewicz said.
“I don’t know how I learned so much about football,” Shepherd said. “I guess it’s from watching. I’ve been going to Eastern sporting events ever since I was born, so I’ve grown up watching football.
“My dad played football in high school, but I don’t remember him talking much about it when I was a kid. And I probably learned some from going to the football games with my grandparents, David and Phyllis Sardella and Maurie and Rose Mary Shepherd. And, I watch pro football and college football a lot.”
Shepherd said she hasn’t played sports personally because she was born with cerebral palsy.
“A long time ago, I did some Rec League stuff, but in terms of school, I haven’t played because of my CP,” she said.
“It’s mild. I’m very fortunate because some people can’t sit up or eat by themselves. It just affects my hands and feet, so I’m fortunate.
“My limp is because of my CP. I had surgery when I was 5, now I’m supposed to be doing stretching on my own, and I do some of the stuff.”
Shepherd started out as a basketball manager for the girls team her freshman year.
“A basketball manager does the book and stats,” she said.
“You keep track of rebounds and assists, turnovers, shots attempted, shots made, and with the book, you keep track of points, turnovers, fouls, technical fouls, the score; and you also keep track of how many quarters each person plays.
“I’ve had lots of practice, and it gets easier. But, you keep busy. You don’t get to go in there and cheer. You’re supposed to keep you mouth shut the entire time,” she said.
Shepherd said she was basketball manager her freshman year, and JV basketball coach Lisa Lewis introduced her to Wes Harris, who was the trainer at the time.
“I got to see the training room and watched him tape. We decided I’d work with him over the spring semester. That’s when I decided I wanted to become a trainer.
“At the end of the year, he told me football practice started in August, double days — one practice in the morning and one in the afternoon — and to give him a call if I wanted to come out and work some more. I did.”
This summer, Shepherd will keep busy in her job as checker at Save-A-Lot Supermarket, and watching her sports-minded brothers, Drew, 15, a freshman, and Ryan, 13, a seventh-grade student, with her parents, Dan and Lisa Shepherd.
“Sports is just something we do in my family,” she said.
Shepherd also will continue managing the concession stand at Seaton Field for the Charleston Baseball Association.
Then, come August, the football field will be calling.
Contact Bonnie Clark at bclark@jg-tc.com or 348-5727.
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