Texas Tech University Athletics
Where Are They Now?
October 09, 2002 | Football
Oct. 9, 2002
By Kelsey Yantis, Texas Tech Media Relations
Little kids looked up to them...their names were proudly associated with Texas Tech football...they left their marks in the classroom and on the field....fans still recall their feats ...so, where are they now? Former Texas Tech football players, Rob Peters, Keith Cockrum and Kyle Shipley graduated in 2000 and have definitely made a name for themselves in the world today.
Rob Peters, originally from Katy, Texas, graduated from Texas Tech with a BBA in Accounting and with a MSA/Taxation. In high school, Peters was able to lead his team to the Class 5A Division I state finals. For his career summary as a Red Raider, Peters passed for 2,815 yards and 19 touchdowns. Before he became the starting quarterback, he saw action in many games from a lot of different offensive and special team positions. Some of Peters' major awards included being selected to GTE Academic All-District VI squad and the first team Academic All-Big 12 first team for three years. Looking back over his career to decide his most memorable moment, Peters recalls the game when the Red Raiders beat Texas at home in 1998. He also says that his experience at Tech, helped him to learn to deal with pressure situations, "Being a quarterback is a pressure situation, and it allows you to handle pressure situations at work better," said Peters.
After graduation, his career interest carried him to Little Rock, Ark., where he went to work for Stephens, Inc. In December of 2000, Peters married his wife, Shannon, who is also a Texas Tech graduate. In 2001, his job then transferred him to Dallas, Texas where he and his wife now live. He works as an Investment Banking Associate who deals with mergers and acquisitions. While he was playing football, someone once gave him a wise word of advice that he still remembers, "Value your education because it will open up many doors for you when football is over."
Keith Cockrum was outstanding on and off the field as he graduated with a 4.0 grade point average and three degrees in MIS, Finance and Economics. He received many awards and honors for his athletic, as well as academic accomplishments. Cockrum, originally from Goldthwaite, Texas, where he helped his high school team to three state championship appearances, two of which it won. He was the third person in his family to play football at the collegiate level as his father played football at Southwest Texas and his brother played at Air Force. As a Red Raider, he ended his career with a total of 189 tackles. Some of Cockrum's most memorable moments as a Red Raider, are beating Texas A&M his senior year, beating Oklahoma at home for Coach Spike Dykes last game and all the times he was able to spend time with the team.
After graduation and his career as a Red Raider, Cockrum moved to Dallas where he lived and worked for a year. From there his career took him to Houston, where he now works for the Lone Star Partners firm. Although he is not able to make all the games, Cockrum continues to follow the Red Raider football team. His experience at Tech has helped lay a foundation of education for his work. College also helped him learn time management skills along with good work ethics. Cockrum's highest honors include the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame Scholar Athlete, Burger King Scholar Athlete and first team GTE Academic All-American his senior year. Some of his other honors were the Academic All-Big 12 first team for four years, GTE Academic All-District VI team for three years. When asked what advice he would give to students now who are carrying the load of athletics and school, he replied "You have to be realistic about the future and prepare yourself for the real world when you won't be playing football."
Kyle Shipley was known as one of the top linebackers in the Big 12, but he was also known for his leadership on and off the field. He graduated from Texas Tech with a BBA in Finance and an MBA. Shipley is a native of Arlington, Texas, where he played for Arlington Martin High School and was a three-year starter who summed up his career with over 300 tackles. In his performance as a Red Raider, he finished his career with a total of 275 tackles. Shipley's awards include Academic All-Big 12 honorable mention and the Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll. One of his most memorable moments was all the time spent in the locker room with his teammates. Another memorable time was playing Oklahoma for Coach Dykes' last game. His advice to the players today is "having an education can never hurt you; it will never be a disadvantage."
After he completed his football career at Texas Tech, Shipley participated in the Miami Dolphins camp. He was cut the last day, which also happened to be the day before fall semester started when he had to finish a few more hours for his MBA. He has had a couple of other jobs before he started doing what he does now. He is currently in Dallas trading foreign currency for a living. When looking back at his experience at Tech and how it has prepared him for today, Shipley says, "Whatever you do in life, you have to have discipline."
Peters, Cockrum and Shipley became good friends and roommates while playing for Texas Tech and they have continued their friendships throughout the years. While all three of these ex-players were outstanding as athletes, they also were exemplarily in their academics, which has more than proven itself in their lives today. A wise person once said, "Everyone has the desire to win, but only champions have the desire to prepare," these three men have proven themselves as champions as they prepared themselves in college, as athletes for the games, and as students, for where they are today.
