This KU student performed the national anthem at the Final Four

Darius Sheppard was on his way to his final Tuesday class, an acting lab, when he received the call the he was headed to the Final Four.

“These are the type of opportunities I pray for everyday,” said Sheppard, a KU sophomore majoring in vocal performance. He was one of four students to sing the national anthem before Saturday’s national semifinal games.

The group performed as a quartet. Villanova's Maura Gownley served as the alto. Kayleigh Jardine of Michigan filled the role of soprano. Loyola Chicago's Andrew Mahlan was the bass. And Sheppard, who attended Bonner Springs High School, was the tenor.

“I’ve been singing ever since I’ve been little," said Sheppard, who visited the River Walk here on Friday to find a shirt with a Jayhawk on it that he could wear for his performance. "My parents say I would stand up in my crib and sing out to the sun in the morning.”

Sheppard said he had performed the national anthem before, at high school sporting events and a Kansas City T-Bones game. He has never performed at Allen Fieldhouse, though — “at least not yet,” he said — and the crowd of nearly 70,000 that filled the Alamodome on Saturday was by far the largest he has ever sang in front of.

He said friends acted like he should have been more nervous about the moment. His instructor for that final Tuesday class didn't believe Sheppard was actually coming to San Antonio at first.

“You see," Sheppard told his teacher, "the NCAA called me …"

This story was originally published March 31, 2018 at 5:11 PM with the headline "This KU student performed the national anthem at the Final Four."