Eureka College recently welcomed its ninth athletic director since the Red Devils began their NCAA Division III affiliation in 1978. Sara Shaw a native of Fairfield, Maine, was announced on November 3rd 2022, to be the next Athletic Director here at Eureka College. Shaw was previously Director of Athletics at Thomas College (Division III), while also being an assistant coach for the University of Maine (Division I) softball program.

Some years removed from collegiate athletics Shaw decided to give it a return, just taking more of an administrative role. “I had been a coach for quite some time, I had been in athletic administration as well, and I just wanted to step away for a moment to understand my true passion.”Shaw wanted to be selective in this process; she wanted to figure out what felt right for her. “I am a firm believer in instincts and playing close attention to your gut, and Eureka was the school I was drawn to; and all I had done was apply. No one from the school had contacted me, I had never been to the campus, I had never even been to Illinois; but something told me “that’s the place.” Throughout the interview process Shaw was treated with love and respect from first interview to last. “I absolutely loved the people I was able to talk with. They were friendly, they were genuinely invested in finding an Athletic Director that fit a certain mold.” As a male dominated industry, being a female athletic director is raley heard of. In 2021 only 14% of athletic directors were female! With the odds stacked against her, Sara knows her every move is under the microscope.

Her main reason for choosing Eureka? After finishing the interview process, she revisited a certain question asked by the Eureka College President Wright. The question at hand, “What would your supervisors say about you?” Shaw responded with the usual “They would say I am hard working, a team player, etc. etc”. But that wasn’t the truth, so she sent President Wright a follow up email with the following “Some would rave about me, I am sure. But inevitably there would be some that would not” she wrote. “I make really hard decisions; I stand up for what I believe in even if it isn’t popular. I stand up for students and their experience, and I am unapologetically an advocate for them. Students aren’t just a number to me; my students are my kids, and I fiercely and unwaveringly support them. I had been put in many instances where people may have viewed me as difficult, particularly because I was standing up and saying things in some cases that went against the status quo. I will always follow my moral and ethical compass, and in some cases, that has not won me popularity awards. I think outside the box and initiate change. I don’t shy away from innovation, and I love new ideas.”

Entering a new world Shaw joined the staff having no idea what has gone on in the world of Eureka athletics. “I think first and foremost, I wanted to be sure to listen to our athletics first.” With no understanding on what needs to be worked on Shaw has called on the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) to help her along in the decision making process. “I hope to honor old traditions, and create new ones,” Shaw stated. “I hope to increase the competitiveness of all of our programs, so that we are competing at the highest levels of Division III while also fostering an environment where students are excelling in the classroom and walking across that stage after their four years. I just want to help our students not only reach their realized potential, but exceed their own expectations for themselves.”

Senior guard Austyn Ellison of the Eureka men’s basketball team said “Since she has stepped on campus I can feel the change, the atmosphere within the Reagan Complex has changed, and it’s changed for the better” when asked about Shaw. Ellison, a third year transfer student from Coe College is now on his third athletic director. “To create effective change, listening to student athletes will go a long way.”

“I’m trying to create a comfortable space for our student-athletes to understand that they do have opinions, they do have a voice, and they can initiate positive change. And teach them how to appropriately address concerns they have, bring solutions to the table, and really have a true impact on their world. Eureka has so much potential. And I’m looking forward to creating a great experience for our athletes, right alongside our coaches, staff, and students.” With great power comes great responsibility. As a leader Shaw has new responsibilities, to be a role model for many, to prove to the community and the world that anyone can be an athletic director, regardless of sex or gender!