Shepard takes control at Evanston

Tasha Shepard was at a crossroads in her career several years ago.

A soccer player most of her life, Shepard worked in human resources

after a standout playing career at Elmhurst College, but she wanted to

get back into the game.

After an arrangement with her employer didn't work out, Shepard quit

and got into coaching and teaching. She assisted the girls at Evanston

under Marx Succes for four seasons, and last week she was named his

successor. Shepard said Succes gave up his job to concentrate on his

charitable efforts.

"I didn't think it would happen this soon," the 2001 Evanston graduate

said of her first head coaching job. "I am really grateful for the

opportunity. I changed my career to be a soccer coach and to get into

education, so this was the ultimate goal."

Shepard grew up playing soccer in Evanston. She went through the youth

leagues before eventually arriving at high school. She's thrilled for

the opportunity to coach girls from the same community.

"Soccer's been part of my life since I was seven years old," she said.

"It's really shaped who I am as a person. I have no regrets at all

about my career decision."

Shepard, who was named coach at the Nov. 22 board meeting, said she

met with the players in the program last week. The Wildkits lost in

last season's regional final to Lane.

"I just told them how excited I am about the upcoming season, and how

I am going to put in the time and work to make a good season happen,"

she said. "I want the girls to know how serious I am, and that we can

do great things this year."

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