Krista Shepard and Dave O'Keefe Named Assistant Softball Coaches

MIDLAND, MICH. - The Northwood University softball program has announced the hiring of Krista Shepard and Dave O'Keefe as assistant coaches.

Shepard joins the staff with more than 15 years of coaching experience. Shepard has been the President of Michigan Blasters Association since 2011, while serving as head coach of the 16U travel softball team. In that role Shepard is responsible for all of the scheduling and coordination within the association.

"Krista's extensive softball background allows her to have a variety of roles," said Gregg Sauve, who will be entering his first season as the head coach of the Timberwolves. "She will impact infielders, outfielders as well as those in her primary role as the pitching coach."

After working with Doug Gillis for seven years, Shepard opened her own company in 2013, "Krista's Strike Zone". Shepard has been an assistant coach at Ithaca High School for the past three seasons, after coaching at Alma High School for eight campaigns.

Shepard was a four-year pitcher at Albion College, graduating in 2004. She earned Academic All-American honors in her senior campaign.

A native of Alma, Shepard was a four-year letterman at Alma High School, winning the Conference Championship both junior and senior year. Shepard was also named All-Conference three times, as well as being the class valedictorian.

Shepard is the sister of Lisa (Shepard) Mayes, who was one of the best softball players in the history of Northwood softball. Lisa holds numerous pitching records at NU and was inducted into the Northwood University Athletic Hall of Fame in 2014.

O'Keefe brings nearly 40 years of experience in fast pitch softball, as both a player and coach, to the Northwood University coaching staff. As a player, he competed at the highest levels in both state and international play. As a coach, O'Keefe has served as an assistant with the Dow High softball and freshman baseball teams. He coached the local Midland Explorers and was a part of the 2013 Midland Emerson Aces coaching staff with Sauve that took home the ISC II World Championship. 

"I'm very excited to reunite with Dave after playing and coaching together for over 35 years," comments Sauve. "His softball knowledge and experience will be a huge contribution to the program."