The Mary Baldwin University Department of Athletics announced that Christy Shelton has been named associate director of athletics. In addition to the new title, Shelton remains the head softball coach and senior woman administrator.
“I’m excited to announce the promotion of Christy Shelton to be the associate director of athletics here at Mary Baldwin University,” said Director of Athletics Tom Byrnes. “Shelton is an integral member of the athletics department and has been for decades. Her knowledge of not only MBU, but also the NCAA, USA South Athletic Conference, the day-to-day operations in the department and the community of Staunton made this decision an easy one.”
Shelton, who is a graduate of Mary Baldwin, joined the department in 1999 and helped create the softball program in 2001 before taking over as head coach in 2004. Since then, she has acquired the title of senior woman administrator (SWA), the highest-ranking woman in each NCAA athletics department or conference office, and manages facility and business operations in the department. In her new role, she will continue to oversee administrative functions and serve on the department leadership team.
“I am both honored and excited about being appointed associate director of athletics,” Shelton said. “I look forward to the opportunity to continue building the athletic program at the university. It is a privilege to work for such a quality institution.”
In addition to working with MBU Athletics, Shelton coaches a local travel softball team and has been involved with the National Softball Association, Amateur Softball Association, and U.S. Specialty Sports Association as a coach and player with teams throughout Augusta County.
As a student, Shelton was a two-sport athlete on the volleyball and basketball teams with the Fighting Squirrels. Shelton still sits atop the basketball record books with a scoring average of nearly 18 points per game and is seventh all-time in scoring with 1,061 points as one of just 11 players to achieve the 1,000 point plateau.
During her career with the softball team, Shelton has coached the Fighting Squirrels to a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances and two Atlantic Women’s College Conference Tournament championships.