By Daisy Rodriguez, student news writer, Office of University Communications
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. -Jeff Sheppard knows a thing or two about what it takes to be on a team.
“To be good in a team game, you can't think about yourself,” Sheppard, a former professional and collegiate player, said at Campbellsville University's chapel Sept. 29 as part of Athletics Week.
Most notably, Sheppard played for the University of Kentucky men's basketball team from 1993 to 1998.
“I'm going to tell you about my mentality and how dangerous it was at the beginning of the 1998 season,” Sheppard said. “I just sacrificed a whole year of my very important life for my team. And, now it's my turn to lead. Now it's my turn to be the guy shooting the ball. It's my turn to be in the spotlight. That was my mentality. It was a very selfish mentality.”
Sheppard said “something special happens” when we think about others and turn the focus away from ourselves.
“It's called fulfillment. My purpose in life is to fulfill, and my focus is on other people,” Sheppard said. “…You can't have selfish thoughts.”
Sheppard said, when we focus more on other people, we have the very best days. Even then, Sheppard said there will still be tough times.
“It's still going to rain,” Sheppard said. “Tragedy is still going to happen in your life.”
Sheppard has experienced that firsthand, as he said his wife was diagnosed with breast cancer.
“I don't understand why things happen, but I have to trust God that He is still in control even when it rains outside,” Sheppard said. “We can trust that it's okay. Life is going to happen. And, if I turn everything selfish, I would be miserable.”
Sheppard is a financial advisor skilled in financial guidance, retirement, estate and strategic planning and risk management.
He and his wife, Stacey, live in London, Ky. They have two children: Madison and Reed.
Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 13,500 students offering over 100 programs of studying including Ph.D., master, baccalaureate, associate, pre-professional and certification programs. The website for complete information is www.campbellsville.edu.