Sheppard named sportsperson of the year

Larry Sheppard seen lecturing here at West Ferris Senior Secondary is rewarded for years of his teaching skills in Olympic Weightlifting. File photo.

A person who has dedicated his life to helping athletes improve their conditioning, and in turn their skills, has been named the 2005 winner of the Peter Palangio Memorial Award as North Bay¹s sportsperson of the year.

Larry Sheppard, a physical fitness expert, who has worked with the youth and adults of North Bay for years, is being rewarded for his efforts with the Palangio Award.

Sheppard formed the North Bay Norsemen and Valkyries weightlifting clubs and the two groups have proven themselves to be among the best at the provincial and national levels. One thing that Sheppard is proud of, is the fact the North Bay clubs have developed more young weightlifters than any other club in the province.

One of Sheppard¹s pet projects in 2005 was his work with the West Ferris Secondary School track and field program, where he achieved almost immediate success when the Trojans captured their first Nipissing District Association title since 1977.

Sheppard credits at least part of the West Ferris success story to talented sprinter Adam Newton, who¹s success in the 100-and 200-metre sprints encouraged other West Ferris athletes to take part in the track and field program.

Other groups Sheppard has worked with were the Warriors of Hope breast cancer survivors, Nipissing University varsity teams, North Bay youth soccer and the Great North Midget League¹s North Bay Trappers.

One of Sheppard¹s many successful endeavors was the formation of a summer sports conditioning camp for high school athletes that has help such athletes as Jason Partridge (football), Chad Mathieu (figure skating) and Newton (track and field) reap benefits for their efforts.
Sheppard is a former Ontario Special Olympics coach, who, for a number of years coached local athletes in provincial, national and international competitions.

While with Special Olympics, Sheppard designed a weight-lifting program for the provincial body. Sheppard will receive the Palangio Award at the annual North Bay Sports Hall of Fame induction and awards dinner, April 22, at the Best Western Hotel.


Submitted to BayToday.ca