SU Names Athletic Director

Shep Campbell to Take Full-Time Post

For More Information Contact: Scott Musa 540.665.5417

WINCHESTER, Va. (Dec. 7, 2001) — Shenandoah University’s Vice President for Administration and Finance Richard C. Shickle today announced the full-time appointment of John S. “Shep” Campbell to the position of athletic director. In January, Campbell will be filling the position left vacant by the October 29 death of Shenandoah’s athletic director of more than 14 years, Dave Dutton.

Shickle read a statement from President James A. Davis who is in Japan saying, “Shep is perhaps the ideal candidate for the position having been an outstanding athlete; having two outstanding sons who are athletes; knowing Winchester and the university first-hand; having an extensive management background in business; having served in local government; and having the desire to assist me in fundraising for athletes and a new indoor facility for the university.”

Shickle also expressed Dr. Davis’ pleasure in bringing Campbell ’s background and leadership abilities to the university. “Shep’s appointment as athletic director strengthens our management team and broadens our ability to serve the community,” Davis wrote.

According to Shickle, more than 40 applicants applied for the position. However, he noted, “There was a very strong consensus within the SU community for Shep’s appointment.”

Campbell, a Winchester native and 1972 graduate of Virginia Polytechnic and State University , comes to Shenandoah after a successful career in private business. From 1973 until 2000, Campbell worked for the O’Sullivan Corporation of Winchester , eventually rising to the position of president and CEO. He left O’Sullivan after spearheading the company’s sale and acquisition by PolyOne Corporation of Cleveland , Ohio . Since leaving O’Sullivan, Campbell has served as President of SLN, LLC Consulting and as Vice President of Operations for Canadian General Tower/Textileather.

While this is his first foray into intercollegiate athletics, Campbell has a great deal of experience with Shenandoah and particularly its athletic programs. He has been a member of the Board of Shenandoah University Athletic Association (SUAA) for the past 14 years and a member of SU’s Board of Trustees from 1998 until 2001, where he served on both the Executive Committee and as Chairman of the Development Committee. He also acted as the 1999 Chairman for SU’s Annual Fund.  

Campbell has extensive experience in public service. He served as a Winchester City Council member from 1991 until 1996, sitting on the Public Safety, Planning and Development, and Utilities Committees. Campbell also chaired the Winchester-Frederick County Economic Development Committee and served as a representative to the Frederick/Winchester Service Authority.

“After Dave’s death, several mutual friends suggested I look into it,” Campbell said. “At first I was very apprehensive since my family and I were very close to Dave and his family. I needed some time to sort through all of this, to think about Dave’s legacy, and how I could add to his work of the last 14 years. The more I thought about the position, the more interested I became.

“I have always believed in the value athletics play in the development and education of a young person. It is an area I have always been interested in and have always wanted to pursue,” Campbell continued. “I look forward to working with the coaches and particularly the student athletes to help them realize their potential and meet their goals. I think Shenandoah University has the potential to compete at the highest level of Division III athletics. I intend to work closely with the Administration, the rest of the Shenandoah University family, and the many supporters of SU athletics in our community to make this happen. When a student athlete leaves here, I want them to have received a great education and a great college experience. It will be our goal to make them our best ambassadors in spreading the word about Shenandoah University .”

Campbell and his wife, Nancy, live in Winchester . They have two sons: Shep, Jr., 22; a recent graduate of UVA, and Lang, 20, who attends the College of William and Mary and is a member of the football team.

Shenandoah University offers 16 intercollegiate sports, eight for men and eight for women. For further information, please contact the Office of Athletic Communications at 540-665-5417 or visit our web site at http://www.su.edu/athletics. For Dixie Conference Information, please visit the Dixie Conference home page: http://www.dixieconference.com.