News        from ABAC

Michael D. Chason Director of Public Relations ABAC 30 -- 2802 Moore Highway Tifton, GA 31793-2601 Phone 229-391-5055 Fax 229-391-4781 mchason@abac.edu

IMMEDIATE December 3, 2007

SHEPPARD TO SPEAK AT ABAC GRADUATION ON DECEMBER 13

TIFTON – Todd Sheppard, men’s basketball coach at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, will be the speaker at ABAC’s fall graduation ceremony on Dec. 13 at 6 p.m. in Gressette Gym.

Sheppard was selected for the prestigious “40 Under 40: The Best and the Brightest” by Georgia Trend magazine in its October issue. The list highlighted many of the “movers and shakers” in the state who are under 40 years old.

Selected as Coach of the Year in Region XVII of the National Junior College Athletic Association last year, Sheppard is coming off one of the greatest years in ABAC basketball history.  His team rolled up a school record 27 wins against only five defeats.  The Stallions advanced to the Region XVII championship game. At one time, the team was ranked ninth in the nationwide poll.

“Somebody told me once that you should ‘grow where you are planted,” Sheppard said.  “God puts you in a place for a reason.  ABAC is a great place.  Last year was a lot of fun.”

In his fifth year as head coach, Sheppard has compiled an 84-54 record with the Stallions, including an 8-5 record this season.  He is a native of Conyers and a graduate of Georgia Southern University in 1992 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with a minor in psychology. He also earned a master’s degree in Outdoor Education from Georgia College in 1996.

Sheppard and his wife, Rachel, live in Tifton with their two children, Max and Lucy.  Prior to coming to ABAC, he was the top assistant for the Valdosta State University men’s team. 

A total of 146 graduates are expected to participate in the ceremony.

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