Tom Shepherd

Class of 2008


Born in Regina, Tom Shepherd fell in love with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 1951, at the time Glenn Dobbs ignited all of Saskatchewan behind the Roughriders, and has been a rabid fan ever since. After graduating from the University of Saskatchewan in 1966, he began his involvement with the Saskatchewan Roughrider football club.

Shepherd has been a member of the annual dinner committee (Plaza of Honour dinner) for 43 years, and from 1976 to 1977 was chair of the executive game plan (fundraising). While serving as a club director from 1980 to 2005, Tom was a member of the management/executive committee for 22 years and treasurer for 20 years. During Shepherd’s tenure as club president and CFL governor from 1987 to 1989, the Saskatchewan Roughriders won the grey cup in 1989.

Since his term of president, as founder and president of friends of Riders touchdown lottery, Shepherd has raised over $10 million to keep the team in the province. He also found time to serve as a director of 1995 Grey Cup Inc. And 2003 Grey Cup Inc.

In addition to direct roughrider involvement, tom has also been involved in other Saskatchewan football activities as director and treasurer of the Regina Rams Football Club from 1970 to 1976 and director and treasurer of Gord Currie Youth Development fund from 1977 to 2001.

Tom shepherd is a member of the Saskatchewan’s Plaza of Honour and the Regina Sports Hall of Fame.

Awards/Honours

  • Roughriders Volunteer of the Year
    1980
  • CFL Commissioner's Award
    1992
  • Saskatchewan Roughrider Life Membership
    1993
  • Chartered Accountants of Saskatchewan Distinguished Member Award
    1996
  • Province of Saskatchewan Volunteer Medal
    2005
  • Grey Cup Participation as an Executive
    1989
  • Grey Cup Winning Teams as an Executive
    1989