The Morgan State Athletics Department will begin a new feature on morganstatebears.com that will highlight former student-athletes and their accomplishments in their professional careers and the impact they have made on their communities in their personal lives.
At Morgan State Athletics, we strive to arm our student-athletes with the skills to excel far beyond athletics. The
Bear Makers series will provide Morgan State Athletics with the support and resources needed to position our student-athletes to succeed on a broader playing field of success.
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Aloise Shepherd was a four-year letterwinner on the Morgan State softball team from 2001-05. She also spent a year as an undergraduate assistant coach during the 2005-06 season.
On the softball field, Shepherd earned First-Team All-MEAC honors as a designated hitter during her freshman season, after leading the Lady Bears in homers and RBIs. In her final three seasons as a Lady Bear, Shepherd accumulated 247 at bats, 54 hits, 24 runs, 87 total bases, 23 RBIs in 95 games played. She also added four homers, four stolen bases, 11 walks, 13 doubles and three triples.
Her best season came in 2004, when she played in 41 games and recorded 27 hits, including two homeruns, 12 runs, 12 RBIs and totaled 43 bases in 113 at bats as a junior. Shepherd also made one start that season at pitcher and threw two strikeouts in four innings of work.
Since graduating from Morgan State, Shepherd returned to her native Arkansas. She currently works as a second grade teacher and is a softball and cheer coach in Arkoma, Oklahoma.
Aloise recently spoke to MorganStateBears.com about her time as a student-athlete at Morgan State and her present life living in Fort Smith, Arkansas.
Q+A with Aloise:
Q: What years did you attend Morgan State and what sport(s) did you play?
Shepherd: I attended Morgan State from 2001-07 and played softball from 2001-05 and was an undergraduate assistant coach from 2005-06.
Q: Why did you choose to attend MSU?
Shepherd: I chose Morgan because I wanted the opportunity to play the sport that I loved with other young ladies that looked like me. Growing up in a predominantly Caucasian area, there weren't many softball players that looked like me. MSU allowed me to compete at a high level with and against other women of color.
Q: What was your major at MSU and what year did you graduate?
Shepherd: My major was Health Education and Promotion, 2007.
Q: Have you obtained a higher level of education since graduating from MSU?
Shepherd: No.
Q: Where do you currently live and work?
Shepherd: I live in Fort Smith, Arkansas and work in Arkoma, Oklahoma as a girls softball coach, assistant competition coach and assistant second grade teacher.
Q: Did you always know or predict that your career would be in your current profession?
Shepherd: Ironically, in the media guide I said my dream job was to be a softball coach. I started coaching softball for the Northwood League my sophomore year at Morgan. After graduation, I took a four-year break before coaching my next team. I started a 10u team in 2013 and volunteered for several different teams until 2016. I was hired by Arkoma Public Schools in July of 2018. I'm currently the head coach 10u, 12u, junior high and high school Arkoma softball, as well as an assistant coach for 12u (USSSA Class B) travel ball team, Oklahoma Combat.
Q: How did your time as a student and student-athlete at MSU prepare you for your career and life after college?
Shepherd: I arrived on campus August 19, 2001 after driving nearly 20 hours. I only knew the voice of Coach
Ramona Riley-Bozier because we had never met in person. Baltimore and Morgan were not only an address change, but a total mindset shift. Being in a city with so many African-American people from all walks of life was the breath of fresh air I never knew I needed. Morgan has a deep rooted history of culture, education, and pride. Professor Stephens, was like an Auntie to me while Professor Fleetwood was the cool big brother. Dr. Roe in the Health Department wanted to see us win! She congratulated and challenged us every step of the way.
Coaches Ramona Bozier, Jeff Bozier, and Kara Campbell, taught me so much about life and the game of softball. I use many drills I learned while playing at Morgan with my own teams. Sport, our strength and conditioning coach, pushed us in the weight room. I believe that's where I learned to stretch beyond what I thought was possible. My teammates were, and still are, my best friends. They taught me the true meaning of sisterhood. We've celebrated life's greatest victories and navigated life's greatest challenges together. My time as a student-athlete at Morgan shaped who I am as a coach. From carrying equipment down Cold Springs Lane, running up the Hill Field House stadium stairs, timed runs on the football field to staying in Blount, Northwood, and Morgan View, it all gave me the tools to be successful post-graduation. Of course my time at MSU had its fair share of challenges. One of the greatest lessons from my college experience is; DON'T QUIT. Cry, fail, re-plan, but DON'T QUIT.
Q: What personal or professional accomplishment(s) are you most proud of since you graduated from MSU?
Shepherd: I did start the first 10u and 12u softball program at Arkoma. Arkoma junior high was the runner up in the River Valley Conference in 2019. I was also apart of the 27-city expansion for Playworks.
Q: What is your best advice for current MSU student-athletes?
Shepherd: Don't walk away from Morgan without giving your best. I know coaches say that all the time, but it really is true. When the "last out" happens there's no turning back. Be great on the field and be better in the classroom. Most of you won't go pro, so learning how to be an education professional will be one of your greatest assets. Never allow anyone to downplay your choice of school. Take our culture with you.
Q: What is your favorite memory from your time as a Bear?
Shepherd: Homecoming and graduation. Growing up, I never experienced homecoming like Morgan's. I love to come back and experience it over and over again. I am a first generation college graduate for my paternal and immediate family. My mommy, daddy, baby brother and two nieces got to witness me walk across the stage.
Q: Have the relationships you built among your team lasted beyond college?
Shepherd: Yes! Several of my teammates are my best friends.
Q: When was the last time you had been to campus? How has the campus changed?
Shepherd: I was on campus in 2018. Northwood Plaza now has a new building. The addition of the bridges, the Student Center and new Library. It's changed so much, and I still love it!
Q: What are some things you enjoy doing in your free time?
Shepherd: Free time?!?! Lol! I have a great-nephew and two great nieces that I try to spend as much time with them as possible. I also enjoy live music and brunch.
Q: Are you still involved in athletics in some capacity?
Shepherd: Yes. I'm a softball and cheer coach.
Q: What motivates you to give back (volunteer, mentor, donate) to MSU Athletics?
Shepherd: I wish I could do more. I live so far away. Sadly, I've only kept up with MSU athletics via social media.
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