Wednesday night in Tampa, Florida, Shepherd received this year’s Lee Roy Selmon Community Spirit Award, given annually to athletes who go above the call of a student, amateur or professional athlete by demonstrating a deep care for others and a connection to the moral growth of their community.

Shepherd was selected from a group of finalists from across the country, with his well-known connection with the Douglas County Big Brothers, Big Sisters chapter and consistent outreach efforts in Lawrence during the past four years highlighting his candidacy.

Shepherd’s desire to find ways to help others started at an early age and was a product of growing up in an environment where those around him always set ht example of putting others first.

In a phone interview with the Journal-World following the banquet, Shepherd said his acceptance speech was short, simple and straight from the heart.

“I’m happy for the university as much as I am for myself,” he said. “It just goes to show that there are good players and good people at the University of Kansas and it feels real good to know that there are people outside of Lawrence and outside of Kansas that appreciate what I do.”

Shepherd was joined by his mother and father at Wednesday’s event at the Intercontinental Hotel, and even though he said his mom told him throughout the night that she knew he would win, he was a little surprised when the big moment arrived.

“I was actually shocked,” he said. “Because there was a guy who was nominated for two awards and I just figured he would win. When they called my name, it was like, ‘Oh, that’s me.'”

Shepherd, who also is a finalist for this year’s national Senior CLASS Award — for which voting will be open through Monday — said Wednesday’s event was bittersweet because it may have been his last chance to represent the university and football program he gave so much of his life to during the past four years.

Although the senior all-Big 12 cornerback who started his KU career as a wide receiver will be moving on next season, he said he was encouraged about his future connection to the program when he heard about the recent hire of David Beaty as KU’s new head coach. Beaty was Shepherd’s wide receivers coach during his freshman season in 2011 and Shepherd said he was thrilled to have an existing relationship with KU’s new coach.

“That was the exact feeling I had when I heard about the hire because I want to be able to come back and I want to stay involved with the university,” Shepherd said. “With him on board I know we’ll all be welcomed back with open arms and I’m glad we’ve got a guy like that.”

Asked what he liked most about the Beaty hire, Shepherd, who said he wished he had more eligibility so he could play for him, recalled Beaty’s passion as one of his best traits.

“I know what he brings to the table – his love for the game, his love for the university and his desire to make players better and build relationships with the guys and coaches that he’s around,” Shepherd said. “I think that’s what the program needs. Having him and coach (Clint) Bowen, who are both that way, I think the sky’s the limit for the team.”