Ryan Shelton began his tenure at Director of Athletics on May 1, 2017. Over the past eight years, the 2024 Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference Athletic Director of the Year has transformed the athletic department leading the expansion of the athletic program with the addition of new varsity sport programs, has led unprecedented fundraising efforts leading to transformational facility renovations, expanded and enhanced sports medicine program and led the athletic department's transition to the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference in 2019.
Through the generosity of Karen and Terry McMahon, Shelton oversaw a privately funded major renovation project in the Savannah Center Athletic Facility. The project included the addition of the McMahon Athlete Resource Room, the expansion and renovation of the athletic training room as well as the men's and women's varsity locker rooms and the construction of the new Hall of Champions interactive hall of fame exhibit and trophy case.
The McMahon Athlete Resource Room funded which features state of the art technology and stadium-style seating that can seat up to 28 student-athletes is used for team film sessions and meetings, press conferences and a dedicated student-athlete study area. Training room expansion included more than doubling the size of the space while adding new training equipment and tables including a dedicated hydro-therapy and physical therapy area. The varsity locker room phase of the project included new custom wood lockers for men's and women’s basketball and women’s volleyball teams, RedHawks branded whiteboards and stools and flooring.
Through the support of tje McMahon gift, Shelton led an extensive renovation of the Savannah Gymnasium including new gymnasium floor design, sound system, concession stand, bleachers and school branding throughout the Savannah Center, along with athletic office suite upgrades. The largest donation in school history also saw the creation of the IU Northwest Athletics Hall of Fame on the second floor of the Savannah Center.
During his tenure Shelton led the transition to becoming full time positions. In 2024 RedHawks men's basketball captured the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference men's basketball championship the first post season title since becoming a CCAC member. Shelton was named 2024 CCAC Athletic Director of the Year. He is a member of of NACDA and the NAIA-Athletic Director's Association. Duirng the 2024-25 athletic season IU Northwest men's and women's basketball bth qualified for the NAIA National Tournament with each team having the CCAC Player of the Year (Trace Williams, Jessica Carrothers) making IU Northwest one of just three schools in the nation with that distinction.
Shelton also led IU Northwest women's basketball as head coach for 14 season from 2007 until 2021 completing his coaching career as the all-time leader in RedHawks Athletics history finishing with 239 wins.
Shelton inherited a struggling program and quickly built a nationally recognized and contending program that resulted eight 20-win seasons. With Shelton at the helm the RedHawks made six national tournament appearances in all and captured four A.I.I. Conference championships. The RedHawks advanced to eight A.I.I. and CCAC Tournament semifinal appearances including the 2020-21 COVID season in which the team overcame a roster decimated by early season ending injuries to key players.
During his career, Shelton set a school record for career wins (239), season wins (27), conference championships (4), NAIA National Tournament appearances (4) and consecutive victories when the RedHawks 17 straight during the 2011-12 season. The streak included first-ever win over an NCAA Division-I opponent in a win at Chicago State on Feb. 3, 2012. Shelton was selected A.I.I. Conference Coach of the Year four times (2009, 2010, 2014, 2017).
IU Northwest players under Shelton were selected conference player of the year seven times in addition to nine NAIA All-American selections (Sharon Houston 4x, Megan Holland, Nicki Monahan 3x and Grayce Roach). Player accolades also included two USCAA All-American selections, two A.I.I. Defensive Player of the Year selections and three A.I.I. Freshman of the Year selections. He has coached three 2,000 point scorers (Houston, Monahan, Borgen) and eleven 1,000 point scorers (Houston, Monahan, Borgen, J. Keller, Holland, Zandstra, Roach, Salman, Wilson, Schmidt and Martin).
During Shelton's tenure, the RedHawks have earned 38 A.I.I. All-Conference selections and four NAIA National Champions of Character Awards in addition to numerous other sportsmanship and National Scholar Athlete awards. In 2018-19 the RedHawks won a school record 27 games (27-8) and with a round of 32 with a 86-72 victory over Dordt College, advancing to the program's first Sweet 16 appearance in the National Tournament. Grayce Roach was named a 2019 NAIA All-American, the 11th All-American selection in all under Shelton during his coaching tenure with the RedHawks.
Players that Shelton coached have gone on to play professionally overseas and have become coaches at both the high school and collegiate levels. He established the popular RedHawks Summer Basketball Camp in 2009 and RedHawks Athletics continues to be active in community outreach initiatives. Shelton earned his B.A. in 2000 and M.P.A. from IU Northwest in 2005
