GREENVILLE, Pa.—Thiel College assistant director of athletics and senior woman administrator Amy Schafer was one of just 12 individuals recently selected for the NCAA 2014 Pathway Program.
The Pathway Program exists to assist minority and/or female administrators who wish to become director of athletics as their next career step through education, training and mentoring. The program is designed to provide national exposure to its participants and to generate the opportunity to glean information and career guidance from the leadership of intercollegiate athletics administrators throughout the country.
"I am extremely thankful and excited to be selected for this program," Schafer said. "I look forward to this opportunity and the challenges this year-long program will provide. I am anxious to meet my mentors and fellow cohorts as I continue to strive to advance my career."
Participants in the Pathway Program will gain a better understanding of the role of directors of athletics in all NCAA divisions, gain an in-depth look into the NCAA governance structure and be exposed to key intercollegiate athletics stakeholders across the country. Participants will be matched up with a director of athletics who will provide guidance and mentorship and paired with a NCAA member institution's president or chancellor to participate in a campus visit.
"Amy is a valuable asset to the Thiel College athletic department and an excellent candidate for the Pathway Program," said Jack Leipheimer '74, Thiel College director of athletics. "Having the opportunity to go through the Pathway Program will certainly benefit Amy and Thiel College."
Schafer serves as assistant director of athletics, senior woman administrator and director of compliance and eligibility at Thiel College. Entering her ninth season as head coach of Thiel's softball team, Schafer has led the Tomcats to two Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) championship tournaments. During her tenure as head softball coach, Schafer has coached 24 players to All-PAC accolades and has had multiple players earn National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-Region honors.
Schafer is a 2003 graduate of Bethany College, where she was an All-American catcher for the Bison. While at Bethany, Schafer was honored as a member of the NFCA All-Academic team in 2002 and was named to the PAC Academic Honor Roll in 2001 and 2002. Schafer earned a master's in sport management studies from California University of Pennsylvania in 2009.
The NCAA 2014 Pathway Program officially begins at the 2014 NCAA Convention in January and concludes with commencement at the 2015 NCAA Convention.
About Thiel College
Thiel College is an independent college founded in the Lutheran tradition. Located in Greenville, Pa., the College offers 60 majors and minors, 24 varsity sports, and an 11:1 student-faculty ratio. The College is also home to a new Master of Science in speech-language pathology and 2Master of Business Administration. Both master’s degree programs offer innovative and accelerated five-year paths which allow students to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree in five years. The speech-language pathology program also has an accelerated 15-month graduate-level program. The M.B.A. program also has a 12-month post-graduate program.A dedicated faculty paired with dynamic research and internship opportunities produce numerous graduate school and job placements. Coeducational from its beginnings, the College remains committed to combining tradition with innovation as it celebrates 150 years.