January 2021 - 44

40 UNDER 40 perspectives
sports under 40
YEAR IN REVIEW
By Wesley Sykes, managing editor
To start off 2020, Coach & Athletic Director and the
National High School Athletic Coaches Association
joined forces to transition the Sports 40 Under 40
Awards to a monthly honor in an effort to recognize
emerging industry leaders year-round.
Monthly honorees have been recognized in each
print edition, throughout email blasts, as well as our
social media platforms. Eligible candidates - coaches,
assistant coaches, administrators, officials, trade show
management, association management, and industry
suppliers - can be nominated by their peers under the
criteria. The qualifications for nomination include being
under the age of 40, currently employed within the sports
industry, demonstrating strong leadership qualities,
and striving to propel the industry forward through
innovation and involvement.
Since turning to a monthly honor we have received
more than 100 nominations of worthy candidates who are
working hard to better the community they're working
for. But, alas, only one person can be selected each month
despite the abundance of well-qualified candidates.
Here is a look back on the 2020 Sports Under 40
monthly winners.
November
John Seman, Director
of Athletics, ASPIRA of
Pennsylvania Schools,
Philadelphia, PA
John Seman, a former studentathlete
in the area, has supported
the growth of his league in many
ways. He is a member of the
Athletic Directors committee
and is one of three professionals
that provides professional development by instructing
NIAAA courses to over 75 member school athletic
directors. Seman works hard to provide opportunities
for his students and he continues to grow his high
school programs to provide students the opportunity to
participate in interscholastic athletics.
He is a highly detailed and organized professional
and is always looking for ways to ensure the safety of
all involved. During the times that we are in now, he
is at the forefront of providing return to play plans and
safe practices in athletics for COVID-19. It is also worth
42 JANUARY 2021
noting that Seman values the importance of professional
development and currently has his principal certification
in the state of Pennsylvania, his certified interscholastic
coaching certification with the NFHS, his certified
athletic administrator certification with the NIAAA, his
heads up football certification with USA football, and his
level 2 teaching certification in Physical Education and
Health in the state of Pennsylvania.
October
Leslie Shevlin, Associate
Athletic Director/SWA,
Willamette University, Salem, OR
Leslie Shevlin has been
an outstanding leader in her
department since moving into
administration from coaching
only two years ago. She has
made an immediate impact
in the lives of all her coaches,
staff, and student-athletes. Shevlin has transformed
participation in the school's Student-Athlete Advisory
Committee and students and staff have been involved at
all levels of both conference and national programming.
In just two years there has been: two student-athletes
participate in the NCAA Immersion Program, a student
on the DIII National SAAC, a student become president
of our conference SAAC, sent three students and three
staff to the NCAA Inclusion Forum, had eight students
and two staff participate in APPLE programming, helped
create a student-athlete run mental health awareness
group on campus, worked as our rep on both institution's
Title IX Committee and Student Support Committee, and
herself been part of the the NCAA SWA Program and
Pathways Program.
September
Angel Mason, Director of
Athletics, Berry College, Mount
Berry, GA
A leader, role model, competitor,
servant, and an advocator are
some of the qualities of an
administrator - Angel Mason is
so much more. With a background
in student-athlete development,
January 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of January 2021
