Lori Shepard
Director of Women's Track and Field,
Men's and Women's Cross Country

Jim Spivey - Head Women's Cross Country Coach
Yolanda Taylor-Belin - Assistant Coach - Sprints/Jumps
Fran Hoogestraat - Assistant Coach - Shot Put, Discus, Hammer, Indoor Weight, Javelin
Frank Gladu - Assistant Coach - Pole Vault
Ryan Tolbert - Assistant Coach - Middle Distance, Hurdles
Will Randolph - Assistant Coach - 400/800m, Hurdles

Lori Shepard enters her third season at the helm of Vanderbilt women's track and field having established the foundation for future success with the program.

In quick order, Shepard has revitalized the program, adding nationally respected coaches and student-athletes while overseeing the expansion of facilities, such as the recent completion of a state-of-the-art, $1.7 million track and field complex on campus.

"Women's track and field is now positioned for success," Shepard said. "All the elements, from great coaches and facilities to improving athletes, are in place with our program. The next few years should be enjoyable for everyone interested in Commodore track and field.

Shepard's journey to the Southeastern Conference head coaching ranks began nearly two decades ago as a track and cross country assistant while a graduate student at Indiana University. She was mentored by Indiana Head Coach Sam Bell, a legendary figure in American track and field, while earning an M.S. in kinesiology.

After her time at Indiana, Shepard moved on to Eastern Michigan University where she coached the sprints, hurdles and jumps. From 1985-89, she served as a coach and teacher at Evangelical Christian High School on Florida's Gulf Coast.

At Vanderbilt, Shepard has coached several other national-caliber athletes, including Ryan Tolbert, the school's first national champion who captured the NCAA 400-meter hurdle title in 1997 with a collegiate record time of 54.54 seconds. Tolbert also made the World Championships track and field team and the World University Games team.

"Coach Shepard's true love and excitement for the sport helped push me farther than I thought possible in track and field. Most importantly, she is a great friend," said Tolbert, who returned to Vanderbilt as an assistant coach in 2000.

Well regarded by her peers, Shepard has plenty of experience on the international track and field stage. Recently, she was appointed head coach for the 2004 United States' Under-25 National Team. Previously, she coached Team USA to victory in a heptathlon competition against Team Canada in 1998 and had taught at track and field clinics in Central America, Puerto Rico, Austalia and the United States. She is Level I and II certified by the USATF in sprints, hurdles and multi-events, and has completed all of the coursework for Level III
certification. She is a USATF Level I school instructor.

Shepard attended Taylor University in Indiana, where she is considered one of the school's finest athletes. At Taylor, Shepard was the NAIA national high jump champion, and a five-time NAIA All-American. She was also the program's MVP for four years and a two-time winner of the school's Female Athlete of the Year Award. Upon graduation, Shepard became only the second woman inducted into Taylor's Athletic Hall of Fame.

Aside from her coaching responsibilities, Shepard also serves as the meet director for all home competitions. In 1999, she served as meet director for the Southeastern Conference Cross Country Championships hosted by Vanderbilt.

The native of Neenah, Wisconsin also serves as administrative sponsor for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at Vanderbilt.

The head coach is a tremendous example of what can be achieved when you begin with talent and never stop pursuing excellence. "My philosophy for our own team is pretty simple. I cheer for you and you do better; I cheer for you and I do better," Shepard said.