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Concordia University Chicago Names Alison Shepp as Head Volleyball Coach
Concordia University Chicago announces the appointment of
Alison Shepp as head coach for the volleyball
team. Shepp succeeds Kathy Gebhardt who coached the Cougar women
the past nine seasons.
“I am very excited for this opportunity,” said
Shepp. “I thank the administration for entrusting to me the
responsibility for the Concordia volleyball program.”
A native of Schaumburg, Ill., Shepp comes to Concordia after
serving as Director of Operations for the volleyball program at
Northwestern University in Evanston. In her time at Northwestern,
the 2011 Wildcats enjoyed their best start in 14 years, winning
their first five matches, and recorded wins over three top-25 teams
including second-ranked University of Nebraska.
Shepp is an accomplished coach at the club level and has been
involved in several volleyball camps. Her experience includes three
years with Sports Performance Volleyball Club in Aurora, Ill.,
where she coached 14 young women who went on to play NCAA Division
I and Division II volleyball. In addition, Shepp coached her girls
18 and under club team to the AAU National Championship.
Shepp attended Boston College where she played four years with the
Eagles' volleyball team as a middle blocker. She recorded 761
kills, 51 solo blocks and 146 block assists over 326 career games.
Shepp's career highlights include a team-leading .335 hitting
percentage in 2003 which ranked fifth in the Big East Conference
and two Big East Rookie of the Week honors.
While Concordia will be Shepp's first experience in a Division III
setting, she can draw comparisons to her own collegiate experience.
“I was drawn to Boston College because it was a slightly
smaller, private, religiously-affiliated school,” said Shepp.
“I see those same qualities in Concordia along with its
adherence to the Division III philosophy of the student-athlete,
and I hope that potential volleyball recruits will consider
Concordia an attractive option.”
A recipient of Boston College's Athletic Director's Award for
Academic Achievement and member of the Eagles' Student-Athlete
Advisory Committee (SAAC), Shepp places a high priority on
scholastic success and the complete college experience. “I
feel I can train any volleyball player, but I am most interested in
recruiting and mentoring women who are good people and can make the
most of their college experience in all facets, not just
athletics.”
Shepp is a 2003 graduate of Schaumburg High School where she was a
National Honor Society member her junior and senior years and a
recipient of the Illinois High School Association Scholastic
Achievement Award in 2001 and 2002. Shepp was a two-time MVP for
the Saxons, a three-time All-Mid-Suburban League and Daily Herald
All-area honoree. Concurrently, Shepp was an AAU All-American, a
regional champion and AAU silver medalist.
Shepp earned her bachelor of science in marketing and business
from Boston College in 2007.
