For immediate release contact: Anthony Puglisi

April 26, 2012                                                                                                                                      973-621-2542

                                                                                                                                                                Lauren Shears

                                                                                                                                                                973-621-1590

 

ESSEX COUNTY EXECUTIVE DIVINCENZO DEDICATES

“MIKE SHEPPARD, SR. FIELD” IN ESSEX COUNTY IVY HILL PARK

 

Newark, NJ – Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. dedicated a youth athletic field in Essex County Ivy Hill Park after retired Seton Hall University Baseball Coach Mike Sheppard, Sr. on Thursday, April 26^th. Attending the ceremony to offer their congratulations to Sheppard were Seton Hall Alumn and retired New York Yankee catcher Rick Cerone and members of the current Seton Hall University Baseball team.

“Mike Sheppard Sr. was a legendary coach who transformed the Seton Hall baseball program into a nationally recognized powerhouse. More importantly, Mike was a strong advocate for youth recreation programs and the lessons of teamwork, sportsmanship and dedication helped his players succeed on the baseball diamond and in life,” DiVincenzo said. “He positively influenced the lives of generations, and naming the field where he once taught the game of baseball to children in his honor is a fitting tribute to someone who has been a role model to so many,” he added.

“This is a wonderful thing, to return to the place where it all started,” Sheppard said, recently reminiscing about the times he spent in Essex County Ivy Hill Park. The first organized baseball league in which he played was in Ivy Hill Park and it was also where he met his wife, Phyllis. “I came here to play baseball and met her in the eighth grade. We went to the eighth-grade dance and have been together ever since,” he noted.

“He has had a tremendous impact on the lives of his players for over 40 years. He was tough on us, but it made us all better individuals and athletes,” said former MLB player and SHU Alum Rick Cerone. “I think I had more fun playing baseball for Seton Hall University than during my 18-year career in the Major Leagues. Through it all, I never forgot Coach’s advice, ‘Never lose your hustle,’ ” he added.

Unveiled during the ceremony were a sign on the outfield scoreboard with the “Mike Sheppard, Sr. Field” name and a bronze tablet that described the positive impact the coach had at Seton Hall University and in the community. On the tablet, Sheppard is described as an “Outstanding Coach, Role Model and Mentor” who is being recognized for “teaching his players the importance of teamwork, sportsmanship and discipline that helped them on the field and in their personal lives. We hope the young men and women who play here in the future learn his lessons, too.”

“It is an honor to represent the Board of Chosen Freeholders today because Coach Sheppard helped me when I began my youth baseball program years ago. He always said, ‘Make sure you teach these children the integrity they need to move forward,’ and it is evident that he instilled those principles in all of his athletes,” said Freeholder Rufus I. Johnson. “The honor couldn’t be bestowed upon a more deserving individual,” he added.

“It is an honor for me to know ‘Shep.’ He was already inducted into the SHU Hall of Fame, and his number has been retired, so it is only fitting that this field is now named in his honor,” said SHU Athletic Director Patrick Lyons. “I want to thank him for all the support he continues to give to Seton Hall,” he added.

“I am excited to be a part of this celebration today and to be a proud partner with Seton Hall University. While I did not know Coach Sheppard personally, as a former athlete I know that coaches are very important people and impact the lives of all their athletes,” said South Orange Village Mayor Alex Torpey. “I want to thank Coach Sheppard for his many years of dedicated service to the Students at Seton Hall University,” he added.

“American Legion Baseball is better because of Coach Sheppard. On behalf of American Legion Baseball, we want to congratulate him on be honoring with the naming of this field,” said Essex County American Legion Vice President Jeff Goldberg. “This is a great facility and it’s fitting that it now bears his name,” he added

Sheppard’s career included stops as a coach at St. Benedict’s Prep, Barringer High School, Vailsburg High School and Valley High School before he took the head coaching position at Seton Hall. “I lived for many years in Tuxedo Park right next to Ivy Hill Park. I came home here after serving in the military,” he said. “My whole life has been spent playing and coaching in the Essex County Park System. This is very special because it’s very close to me. I’m very proud and still very connected to my roots here,” he noted.

“I have coached some wonderful young men throughout my career that have gone on to become successful doctors, college presidents, entrepreneurs, professional athletes, etc. and I am happy and honored to have several of my past players here today,” said Sheppard. “My wealth lies right here in the Sacred Heart/Vailsburg section. I am proud of my family that they followed in my footsteps and are impacting the lives their athletes,” he added.

In 31 years as head coach at Seton Hall University from 1973-2003, Sheppard recorded 28 winning seasons and 27 postseason berths, highlighted by 15 Big East Tournament appearances. He was named the Big East Coach of the Year three times in 1985, 1987 and 1989, and guided the Pirates to the conference tournament title in 1987. His teams reached the NCAA Tournament 12 times and appeared in the College World Series in 1974 and 1975. He has a career record of 998-540-11 and is among the 75 most winningest coaches in NCAA history.

During his tenure, more than 80 Seton Hall players have gone on to sign professional contracts, with 30 of them moving on to play in the major leagues.  Among the Major Leaguers who got their start on Sheppard’s teams are Craig Biggio, Rick Cerone, Jason Grilli, Matt Morris, Mo Vaughn and John Valentin.

In 1989, Sheppard was honored as a “Giant Steps” Award winner by the Northeastern University Center for the Study of Sports Society. In addition to being inducted into the Seton Hall University Hall of Fame in 1996 and having his jersey number 17 retired on April 25, 2004, he earned the McQuaid Medal in 1990 which is an award given for 20 years of academic and athletic service to the Seton Hall community.  Finally, Sheppard was inducted into the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame on January 7, 2011. 

Though currently retired from coaching baseball, Sheppard remains active as the Head Coach Emeritus, while also continuing his duties as the Chairman of Essex County American Legion Baseball, a post held since 1983 and the Commissioner of Atlantic Baseball Confederation Collegiate League

Sheppard and his wife, Phyllis, reside in West Orange. They have five grown children and 13 grandchildren.

A $1.6 million facelift to install a second synthetic surface baseball/softball field, renovate two restroom buildings and enhance pathways and landscaping was completed in 2010. The garden recognizing the four students who were attacked in the Mount Vernon Elementary School playground was dedicated on April 7, 2008. A triangular stone wall – the three sides of the wall symbolizing Terrance Aeriel, Dashon Harvey and Iofemi Hightower who were killed – makes up the center of the garden. On the three outer sides of the garden, trees are planted in groups of three, again to symbolize the three students who lost their lives. A fourth stone wall that is part of the garden is meant to honor the bravery and heroism of Natasha Aeriel, who was seriously wounded during the August 4, 2007 attack. While recovering in the hospital, Natasha Aeriel worked with police to identify the suspects.

The three baseball/softball fields received an extensive $1.1 million overhaul in 2005. One of the fields received a synthetic grass surface, press box, scoreboard and dugout, while the other two fields received new sports fencing. A subsurface drainage system for the entire complex was installed to alleviate flooding. In addition, one existing basketball court near Mount Vernon Place has been replaced with two new basketball courts that are equipped with new lights and players’ benches.

In 2003, Essex County spent $105,000 to install a rubberized safety surface in the Ivy Hill playground. The project was part of a $2.5 million initiative by DiVincenzo to upgrade all playgrounds in the Essex County Park System so they met the highest national safety standards.