Ryan Shelton was named Director of Ath on May 1, 2017. Over the past nine years, Shelton transformed the department, leading the expansion of varsity sports, unprecedented fundraising efforts that resulted in major facility renovations, the growth of sports medicine and IU Northwest’s transition to the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) in 2019.
Through the generosity of Karen and Terry McMahon, Shelton oversaw the largest privately funded renovation project in school history at the Savannah Center Athletic Facility. The project added the McMahon Athletic Resource Room, equipped with state-of-the-art technology and stadium-style seating for team film sessions, press conferences, meetings and study hours; more than doubled the size of the athletic training room with new equipment, hydrotherapy and physical therapy areas; and upgraded varsity locker rooms with custom wood lockers, branded whiteboards, stools and new flooring. The McMahon investment also supported a full gymnasium renovation including a redesigned gym floor, new sound system, concession stand, bleachers, branding throughout the Savannah Center, office suite improvements and the creation of the IU Northwest Athletics Hall of Fame interactive exhibit. During Shelton’s tenure, IU Northwest expanded full-time athletics staff positions. He was named 2024 Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference Athletic Director of the Year.
Shelton also led IU Northwest women’s basketball as head coach for 14 seasons from 2007 to 2021, retiring as the program’s all-time wins leader with 239. He inherited a struggling program and built it into a nationally recognized contender, producing eight 20-win seasons, six national tournament appearances and four Association of Independent Institutions (A.I.I.) championships.
Shelton’s career coaching highlights include program records for career wins (239), single-season wins (27), conference titles (4), NAIA national tournament appearances (4) and a record 17-game win streak during the 2011-12 season. That stretch included the program’s first win over an NCAA Division I opponent, a 78-66 victory at Chicago State on Feb. 3, 2012. Shelton was recognized as A.I.I. Coach of the Year (2009, 2010, 2014, 2017) four times.
Seven IU Northwest players earned conference player of the year honors, and nine were named NAIA All-Americans under the leadership of Shelton: Sharon Houston (4), Nicki Monahan (3), Megan Holland and Grayce Roach. His players also earned two USCAA All-America selections, two A.I.I. Defensive Player of the Year awards and three A.I.I. Freshman of the Year honors. Shelton coached three 2,000-point scorers (Houston, Monahan, Borgen) and eleven 1,000-point scorers.
The RedHawks collected 38 A.I.I. all-conference selections and four NAIA National Champions of Character awards during his tenure. In 2018-19, IU Northwest set a school record with 27 wins (27-8) and advanced to the Sweet 16 after defeating Dordt College 86-72 in the national tournament. Roach was named an NAIA All-American, the 11th player to earn the honor under Shelton.
Several of his players went on to play professionally overseas or pursue coaching careers at the high school and college levels. He also established the RedHawks Summer Basketball Camp in 2009, which remains a popular community program.
Shelton earned a bachelor’s degree in 2000 and a master’s in public affairs from IU Northwest in 2005. He is a member of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics and the NAIA Athletic Directors Association, the NAIA National Admistrative Council and was selected to the IU Northwest Athletics 2025 Hall of Fame Induction Class.
