SSYS BASEBALL & SOFTBALL

Board Bio

	SSYS EVP Baseball, Jerry "Shep" Shepard

What inspired you to volunteer for SSYS?
This park is home for my family. I grew up with a dad that started a little league program from the ground up. My fondest memories as a child are spending time at that park. I spent more time there during spring and summer than I probably spent at home. I want my kids to have those memories and giving time and effort to SSYS ensures that they will.

How long have you been a volunteer and what positions have you taken part in along the way?
I have been at SSYS for about 10 years. I have mostly coached my boy’s baseball and football teams. I am currently EVP of Baseball Lower Leagues and on the Football board.

Do you (or did you) have children that play at SSYS? If so, what are their ages and how long have they played at the park?
Yes, I did, and I do. My 19 yr old played at SSYS from 8-10. My 9-year-old has played at the park for 4 years. My 7-year-old has played for 3 years. My 5-year-old just completed his first season at the park.

What do you like most about your volunteer work at SSYS?
The smiles... Kids smiling and having fun playing sports.

Do you have a job outside of your SSYS board position? If so, what and tell us a little about it?
I am a Regional Manager for Stryker. Stryker is a Fortune 20 company that lives in the Healthcare/ Med device arena. My region includes Georgia and Florida and I have 12 reps on my team.

Finish this sentence. On Sunday mornings, you can usually find me...
Having a cup of coffee and watching sports center. Then dressed and off to mass.

When not rooting for your SSYS team, who is your favorite school/sports team and/or players?
University of South Carolina- Any sport. Professionally it has to be the Braves and Falcons.

When you are not at one of the many events, games or board meetings at SSYS, what do you enjoy doing most?
Playing golf.

Board Bio

	SSYS At-Large, Dana Alioto

What inspired you to volunteer for SSYS?
I have been coaching at the park for 15 years and wish to continue seeing the program prosper.

How long have you been a volunteer and what positions have you taken part in along the way?
Coaching baseball from 10 to 14-year olds since 2005

Do you (or did you) have children that play at SSYS? If so, what are their ages and how long have they played at the park?
Never have had children play at the park but coached National League baseball with my son. Justin, 10 years.

What do you like most about your volunteer work at SSYS? Seeing the kids progress and mature in terms of both athletic skills and social behaviors.

Do you have a job outside of your SSYS board position? If so, what and tell us a little about it?
I have recently retired after working for 43 years in the Risk Management field.

What’s a typical week for you in your volunteer position?
During the spring, summer and fall seasons, a typical week would entail 2-3 practices and probably 2 games.

Do you have any skills or talents that most people don’t know about?
I have been running as my daily regimen of exercise along with the baseball practices.

Finish this sentence. On Sunday mornings, you can usually find me...
Up early running, then getting the Sunday paper to peruse the sports pages, then over to the park for field practice or Barn time. Sunday evenings are spent with my family at dinner

When not rooting for your SSYS team, who is your favorite school/sports team and/or players?
School---Marquette basketball &n sports team --the Milwaukee Brewers and Christian Yelich

When you are not at one of the many events, games or board meetings at SSYS, what do you enjoy doing most?
Besides running, I am also an avid reader who also enjoys traveling especially to Europe.

Board Bios

SANDY SPRINGS YOUTH SPORTS
BOARD OF DIRECTORS, BIO

SSYS President, Kenneth Bowman
I grew up on the fields and in the gyms of suburban Los Angeles. And while I would play just about any sport, some of my favorite memories, longest-lasting friendships, and most powerful life lessons, came from my time on baseball and football fields.

Now a father of five, I have reflected extensively on the life lessons, friendships, and leadership skills acquired on those fields. This is what I believe:

I believe in the formative power of Sports for young people.
I believe that youth sports participation creates lifelong memories for, and imparts powerful life lessons to, individual athletes, their families, and their greater communities.
I believe that when a young athlete is part of a team, that athlete develops discipline; that athlete will create powerful and long-lasting friendships; that athlete will learn to overcome adversity; and that athlete will hone all sorts of athletic, academic, social, and leadership skills.
I believe these skills and lessons can apply to any and all athletes, regardless of athletic ability - from the child who is trying a sport for the very first time, to the child who wants to be the next Matt Ryan, Jessica Mendoza, Mike Trout, or Falcons Cheerleader.

Given those beliefs, my goals, as President of Sandy Springs Youth Sports, are as follows:

Sandy Springs Youth Sports will ensure that every single child in the City of Sandy Springs and the surrounding area has an opportunity to play and grow and learn, via participation in the Football, Baseball, Softball, and Cheerleading programs we offer.
This opportunity to grow and learn will be provided in a safe, challenging, fun, family-friendly environment, with the support of highly-enabled and supported coaches, Team Parents, and league directors.
Sandy Springs Youth Sports, in partnership with the City of Sandy Springs and all of our board members and volunteers, will do our best to make sure that all participants - athletes, families, and sponsors alike - feel welcomed and supported every time they set foot on the grounds - whether for one season or for eighteen seasons.

We want you, your children, your friends and your neighbors to all call Sandy Springs Youth Sports a second home. Come join us - we have registration opening, and sponsorship opportunities available, right now for Spring Softball and Baseball, with early-bird pricing for those who register soon - let's play!