Photo courtesy of WRA Architects.

A former baseball coach at W.T. White High School was one of nine people inducted into the 2021 class of Dallas ISD’s Athletic Hall of Fame.

David Shepherd coached at the school from 1980-2014, and during his tenure, he led the team to 32 consecutive playoff appearances.

He coached at Thomas C. Marsh Preparatory Academy before moving to W.T. White and was honored at the school’s 50th anniversary.

Known as “Coach Shep,” he won more than 650 games and 16 district titles. Eight of his players, including Calvin Murray, went on to join Major League Baseball teams. Murray was a first-round draft pick in 1989 and represented the United States in the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona.

Shepherd also coached two All-Americans and 20 players who earned all-state titles.

Another legacy of his is the field at W.T. White, which is named for him.

The other Dallas ISD athletes and coaches inducted into the Hall of Fame this year were LaMarcus Aldridge, Chris Bosh, Don January, Johnny Wayne Johnson, Michael Johnson, Stone Johnson, Mike Livingston and Andrea Riley.

Inductees “must exemplify the highest standards of sportsmanship, ethical conduct and moral character” and are selected because of “their striking accomplishments and undoubtful impact while advancing school athletics,” according to the district website.

They were supposed to be inducted in a virtual ceremony Dec. 6, 2021, but it was postponed to Jan. 26, 2022.