John Sheppard Welcomed into MBS Athletic Hall of Fame

Beloved coach and teacher John Sheppard was welcomed into the Morristown Beard School Athletic Hall of Fame on Saturday, September 23 at a standing room only ceremony in Kirby Chapel. 

In the emotional ceremony, John Sheppard was praised not only for the many accolades during his 30-year baseball coaching career, but also for his personal character and his pioneering work at the School.

“John created the pathway for what we know MBS athletics to be today,” said Upper School Athletic Director Joanne Dzama. “Our student-athletes’ experience and opportunities increased tenfold by his vision and passion. It is very rare today that you find someone who is so knowledgeable, friendly and approachable who truly is a good person. As a friend, colleague, mentor, teacher, and coach, John continues to inspire this community and those around him to be show up each day as their best selves.”

Head of School Liz Morrison added that “It is rare to find a coach who is as committed to character-building opportunities and scholarship as they are to wins.”

“Under his leadership, the MBS baseball team has been honored nationally for academics by the American Baseball Coaches Association for eight consecutive years,” she said. “That is a very difficult accomplishment. He holds our scholar-athletes to a high standard both on and off the field.”

Coach Sheppard has been with Morristown Beard School as the varsity baseball coach for the past 30 years. John served as the school’s Director of Athletics for 10 years (1998-2007). During that time, he created an athletic handbook, created and organized “Crimson Week” preseason camp, gained the school’s membership into the state athletic association, designed the MB athletic logo, started a lecture series for parents of athletes and coordinated The Athletic Admissions Night with the Office of Admission.

One of John’s most rewarding achievements was to facilitate the creation of a girls’ interscholastic hockey program at MBS. Currently, John serves as a Wellness instructor and advisor. He has also served as Director of Athletics for the middle school as well as an instructor in middle school Geography and American History.

As the Director of Athletics in the Middle School, John created a preseason orientation in the fall for athletes and parents, and started a field hockey, flag football, fitness and track program. He also initiated membership into the Greater Morris County Junior School Coaches Association.

As head baseball coach at Morristown Beard School, Coach Sheppard’s teams have many successes including a Morris County Championship (2016), five NJISAA Prep Championships (1996,1997,1999,2007,2008), two NJSIAA Private B State Sectional Championship (2005,2010), the Colonial Hills Conference Championship (2008,2009) and he was awarded the Colonial Hills Conference Coach of the Year (2008), four NJAC Conference Championship (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016), three time Morris county Semi-finalist (1995, 2010, 2011) , Team of the Year honors from Mugs Media (2016), Team of the Year honors from Daily Record (2016), Coach of the Year Award from Daily Record (2016), Frank Sayre Award for Sportsmanship From The NJ Umpires’ Assoc. (2016), Coach Sheppard was elected to the Newark Hall of Fame in 2009 and the New Jersey High School Coaches Hall of Fame in 2014.

John holds a masters degree in Counseling from Montclair State University. Prior to joining MBS he worked as a sixth grade teacher in the Orange, NJ school district.