Athletics Careers
& Student-Athletes
Division III is perfect for students who want to focus on academic success while playing the sport they love. Learn how to turn your dedication to athletics into your career.
Tour the Hornets Athletics Facilities
Shenandoah University opened the new James R. Wilkins, Jr. Athletic & Events Center, next to Shentel Stadium, in 2017. The student-first facility benefits each of the university’s nearly 600 student-athletes and has vaulted Shenandoah into the top tier of indoor-athletic facility holders in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. Take a virtual tour of the James R. Wilkins, Jr. Athletics & Events Center and all Shenandoah’s top-flight competition and practice spaces!
Academic and Athletic Success
We are proud to be in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference, one of the oldest and most prestigious D3 conferences. One of the main benefits of being in this conference for our athletes is the furthest you will have to travel for games is five hours. All of our buses have wifi, so you can do your homework and skype into your classes while on the road. You will never miss class for a team practice.
First what struck me as the major strength of our athletic program has been our academic success.”
– Bridget Lyons
| Shenandoah University Director of Intercollegiate Athletics
Spring 2023 Student-Athlete Academic & Athletic Successes
- The Shenandoah University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics had 349 student-athletes earn Athletic Director’s List honors. Of this group, 220 had at least a 3.5 GPA to earn Dean’s List accolades, and 90 were named to the President’s List for having a GPA of 3.9 or higher.
- SU had a school-record 296 student-athletes named to the 2022-23 ODAC All-Academic Team, an honor given to individuals who posted a 3.25 GPA or higher during the 2022-23 academic year.
- The department saw all 22 programs represented on the Athletic Director’s and Dean’s lists, while 21 programs had at least one student-athlete make the President’s List.
- Football led the way with 40 players achieving at least a 3.5 GPA, while baseball had 28. Women’s field hockey, which had a 3.62 average GPA for the Fall 2022 semester, saw 18 of its student-athletes earn Dean’s List accolades. Women’s basketball, men’s and women’s lacrosse, men’s and women’s soccer, softball, and volleyball joined baseball, field hockey, and football with having at least 10 members earn Dean’s List honors.
- Eleven teams: women’s basketball, baseball, field hockey, football, men’s and women’s lacrosse, men’s and women’s soccer, softball, women’s indoor track & field, and volleyball had at least 10 members earn Athletic Director’s List honors..
- Sixty student-athletes, led by eight from the baseball team and seven each from the football and field hockey programs, posted perfect 4.0 GPAs. Eighteen of the 22 programs had at least one student-athlete with a 4.0 GPA.
Turn Your Passion For Athletics Into A Major
Athletic Bachelor’s Degrees
Biology | Pre-Physical Therapy & Pre-Athletic Training
The study of life and living organisms is great foundation for understanding the human body and how to keep it functioning properly. Therefore, Biology is the undergraduate major that leads into graduate programs like Physical Therapy, Athletic Training, and Medical School.
Shenandoah offers an Early Assurance Program for a graduate degree in Physical Therapy and Athletic Training.
This is a math and science intensive program, we suggest taking as much math and science as you can in high school to help prepare you for the rigorous curriculum.
Business Administration
Just like in a game, in business all members of the team need to perform their task, following the game plan is key, and there’s always room for improvisation. Transfer the skills you’ve learned on the field to the boardroom!
The School of Business offers students the opportunity to concentrate in one or more areas of business. Combine core courses in the business disciplines with electives that will customize your own program of study. Specialize in accounting, information systems and technology, international business, management, or marketing.
I worked for Admissions as a Media Team member and this job had taught me the importance of relationships and also time management. It also gave me a small insight on what I will be doing in my career field.”
Ashley Grimes | Healthcare Management | Women’s Lacrosse, ’22
Esports
We at Shenandoah are proud innovators in merging academics with needs in the larger economy, and we recognize the growing power of the esports industry, which is projected to be valued at $1.4 billion by 2020.
That’s why we’ve decided to offer the first multi-track esports major in the United States, and the first esports major in Virginia, starting in fall 2019. Shenandoah is the first university in the country to offer this program.
We expect Shenandoah students and alumni to be an integral part of the action in a field that values quick and strategic thinking, mental agility, intellectual curiosity and creativity.
Exercise Science
Shenandoah’s undergraduate degree program in exercise science prepares you for a fulfilling career in health, fitness and/or competitive athletic performance programs. It also prepares you for professional certification by the National Strength and Conditioning Association and the American College of Sports Medicine.
Our program gives you a strong scientific and practical understanding of the acute and chronic effects of physical activity and exercise on the human body. You’ll learn to assess, design and implement individual and group exercise, physical fitness and/or sports performance programs for a wide range of populations.
This is a math and science intensive program, we suggest taking as much math and science as you can in high school to help prepare you for the rigorous curriculum.
My visiting professor from China completely changed my First Year Seminar experience. She was able to give me and my peers insight and share experiences we never dreamed of having! I was also able to add a double major in psychology because Shenandoah gave me the opportunity and flexibility to diversify my learning. The psychology program is so interesting and will help me reach my long term academic goals.”
Jada Lewis | Exercise Science/Psychology | Women’s Tennis, ’23
Health and Physical Education (PreK-12)
The Bachelor of Education degree in Health and Physical Education requires the completion of the Professional Studies Certificate in Health and Physical Education PreK-12 and the Kinesiology Core courses. Completion of this program meets the professional studies required by the Virginia Department of Licensure Regulations for Health and Physical Education Pre-K-12 teachers.
Students who complete the Bachelor of Education in Health and Physical Education PreK-12 major as shown in the semester course listing below also complete the coaching certificate, as it is built into the sequence.
Kinesiology Recreation
Shenandoah’s Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology Recreation prepares you to become a health and recreation professional.
Our program provides you with well-rounded experience with all things recreation-related. Courses cover everything from structural kinesiology and care and treatment of athletic injuries to personal and community health, sports nutrition, human anatomy and physiology and principles of strength and conditioning. You’ll also complete both an internship and seminar in recreational leadership, as well as a facility planning and event management course
This program also includes a coaching certificate, so you’ll be qualified to coach your favorite sport as well.
Sport Management
You know you love playing sports, what about managing a team, writing a column in a sports magazine, planning and executing a sporting event like the World Cup or the Olympics?
Sport Management students engage in critical thinking exercises, formal & informal learning styles while integrating elements of marketing, sales, sponsorship, traditional media, social media, facilities, event management, revenue generation & development, finance, accounting, and entrepreneurship. Internships are required for this program and allow students to gain valuable experience while enhancing necessary skill sets.
I love sports and was very interested in learning the business aspect. I knew that Sport Management was going to be my major when I was admitted. My favorite thing about being a Shenandoah student is how the professors get you ready for the real world and how the faculty cares about the students.”
Miles Moore | Sport Management | Football / Track & Field, ’23
Athletic Minors and Certificates
Coaching
A coaching certificate qualifies you to coach, distinguishes you from other teaching applicants, and allows you to keep the sport you love in your professional career. Become qualified to coach at the public or private school, club, and recreational team levels.
Dance Minor
Classes such as Movement and Dance for Children and Dance Science make dance an excellent minor for students interested in athletic careers, especially Kinesiology and Exercise Science majors.
Esports
The esports field is perfect for anyone interested in event management, communications, gameplay, coaching, exercise science, or in being part of a field that promises to grow more prominent and engaging with every passing year.
Athletic Graduate Programs
Athletic Training
You’ve worked with your Athletic Trainer as an athlete in high school, now you could be on the frontline of healthcare service for athletes at the high school, college, or professional level!
Become an expert in preventing, recognizing, managing and rehabilitating injuries that result from physical activity. Specializing in prevention, rehabilitation, and management of injuries resulting from participation in athletics and physical activity, the athletic trainer is an integral member of the sports medicine team.
Shenandoah offers an Early Assurance Program for a graduate degree in Athletic Training.
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Shenandoah University’s Division of Physical Therapy (PT) prepares students to be reflective practitioners who provide effective, evidence-based, compassionate care for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of movement dysfunction and to promote physical health and functional ability across the lifespan.
Shenandoah offers an Early Assurance Program for a graduate degree in Physical Therapy.
Esports
As One Of The First Graduate Esports Curriculums In The Country, Our Program Provides You With The Skills You Need To Be A Leader In The Esports Field.
Performing Arts Medicine (PAM) Graduate Certificate
This program educates health care professionals and performing art educators on the prevention, assessment, and management of injuries and disorders specific to dancers, theatre artists, and musicians along with promoting clinical research to determine best practices.
Performing Arts Health and Fitness Graduate Certificate
This program prepares you to be a leader in performing arts health and fitness whether you are a performing artist, a performing arts educator, an exercise physiologist, a certified personal trainer, a certified strength and conditioning coach, a massage therapist or other fitness professional.
Want to be recruited?
If you have not already been contacted by a coach, contact them as soon as possible. If they can’t come watch you play, send them a highlights video of your most recent season. Coaches are always happy to set up overnight visits so you can meet the team, attend practice, and experience life at SU. Contact information for all of our coaches can be found at http://www.suhornets.com/. You can also register to be recruited by filling out a recruitment form for your sport. Walk on tryouts will be held the first week of the semester.
From the beginning, I loved the close-knit family atmosphere that SU has. I chose SU because there were so many opportunities available to pursue my career goals as well as my athletic goals, including being able to play both basketball and field hockey at the collegiate level. I’m so glad I made the choice to come to SU. I love my coaches and teammates, which have become my second family for life.”
Kelsey Jones ’22 | Biology | Field Hockey
As a student-athlete you are in demand!
Employers contact our Athletic Director specifically looking to hire student-athletes because they are driven, have excellent time management, are team players, can work under pressure, and have self-confidence!
“My favorite thing about being a Shenandoah student is the sense of purpose the school gives me. Whether you are an athlete, conservatory student, work study, etc, the school finds a way to get everyone involved to make Shenandoah and the Winchester community a better place.”
Pearce Bucher | Exercise Science | Baseball, ’21 ’24
All the competition, with no Travel or Practices: Intramural Club Sports
So you want to play sports, but don’t want to commit to playing on a varsity team? Shenandoah offers lots of opportunities for you to pursue your passion for athletics in Intramural Club Sports, without having to attend practices and away games. Just have fun and keep your competitive edge.