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Alumni Spotlight Monty Pepper (’96)

Alumni Spotlight Monty Pepper (’96)

Family of 5. Three cowboys and two woman in dresses.

Mr. Monty Pepper (’96) completed his degree from ETBU specializing in Physical Education – All Levels, and currently serves as the Superintendent at Sabine ISD in Sabine, Texas. He has had a successful and lasting career in education for over 27 years across four school districts and coaching baseball at LeTourneau University and Stephen F. Austin University. He and his wife, Derenda, have three children: one working as a television news reporter, one a current college ball player, and another involved in multiple high school activities.

Below are some of Monty’s reflections and memories of his time at ETBU.

God opened the door to ETBU and brought me to that place. My first year of college was in Plano, but I needed to get back behind the Pine curtain. My Dad, a driver at that time, literally pulled over after seeing an ETBU sign in Marshall and called my Mom. She states that it was so funny he called because God had just shown her something regarding ETBU. That next week, I was a new student on campus.

Jim Kneipp, who served as Head Baseball Coach during my time at ETBU, allowed me to join the baseball team (despite my rather unimpressive attempts). I will always be thankful for his influence on my life. There could not have been a better man for that job. He loved his players, was passionate about the game of baseball, and showed every one of us how to treat our wife. Mrs. Sara Kneipp was his number one, and we saw firsthand how a Godly man should conduct himself.

ETBU was exactly what I needed, and I loved my time there. Most of all, God gave me friendships for a lifetime. One in particular, Lisa (Bradbury) Stewart, became my "third sister.” Without her, I'm fairly certain I would not have made it to graduation, and we still visit weekly. Most of my other connections are with people I spent time with in the baseball program. Being part of a sports team creates bonds for life, and I miss seeing the men I got to play baseball with.

Even with most of my time devoted to baseball, the environment on campus was what I needed the most. I was in a great place with like-minded people who loved Jesus. I knew that I wanted to coach, and my experiences at ETBU along with having a great coach were exactly what I needed to move on to my career.