Allison Shepherd began at Vanderbilt in April 2020, overseeing the care of the cross country and track and field programs. She now oversees all athletic training needs for women’s basketball.

Shepherd has been working at the collegiate level as a certified athletic trainer for 32 years.  In addition to her role as athletic trainer for the women’s basketball program, Shepherd oversees all student-athlete physicals and Cardiac Screening at Vanderbilt University.

Prior to Vanderbilt, she spent a total of 15 years at the University of Vermont in various roles from Associate Athletic Trainer, Head Athletic Trainer, and Athletic Medicine Services Director.  In addition to various team coverages throughout the years, Shepherd had oversight of a large staff of allied health care professionals, developed several positions within athletic medicine to advance student-athlete care and authored several policies within the department.

Before landing in Vermont, she served a stint as athletic trainer at the University of Oregon for women’s basketball and track and field from 1998-2005.

She has been a part of various presentations, articles and educational sessions over the years and is currently serving on the College Athletic Trainers newsletter committee.   She has many areas of expertise but is currently focused on advancing current measures in lower extremity injury prevention.

Shepherd, originally from Holyoke, Massachusetts, received her bachelor’s degree from Central Connecticut State University and Master of Arts from Whittier College (California).  She is a proud wife and mother of two, as well as a two-time Ironman finisher. and World Championships qualifier.