June 14, 2023
Shawnee State University announced that Gerald Cadogan, former SSU head coach of men’s and women’s swimming, will become the new Athletic Director on July 1, 2023. SSU’s current Athletic Director, Jeff Hamilton, was recently named SSU’s Director for Corporate and Foundation Relations.
“Gerald has a passion and a vision,” Hamilton said. “His ideas of where he can take Shawnee State Athletics, are very similar to how quickly he’s created a winning culture within the swimming program here. SSU Bears are in very good hands and I’m looking forward to supporting our programs in new ways.”
Cadogan has been a part of SSU’s faculty for five years and brings more than two decades of experience in athletics, team-building, and goal-setting as a former professional athlete, collegiate student-athlete, teacher, and coach. His professional career includes three years in the National Football League, two years in the Canadian Football League, and ten years as an educator and high school football, swimming, and track coach.
“I’m looking forward to working closely with the excellent coaching staff we have at Shawnee State,” Cadogan said. “Our coaches work hard to make Shawnee State strong and to help our students become winners in the classroom first, and then on the field of competition.”
Cadogan said he was influenced by many coaches and athletes, and this allowed him to develop his own coaching philosophy and style.
“Personally, my parents and my brother and sister influenced me,” he said. “Professionally, I had an excellent mentor and pastor, Pastor Darrell Nickels, who taught me a great deal about having a purpose and doing things full force. My college coach, Bill Kenney, and my high school coach, Coach Clifford, also had a profound impact on me — as do the current college swim team members I coach. They motivate me to strive to be better.”
A graduate of Shawnee State University’s Master’s in Education Intervention Specialist program, Cadogan earned two undergraduate degrees, a Bachelor of Science in Biological Psychology and a Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Services, from Pennsylvania State University. As a student-athlete at Penn State, he was a two-time Academic All-American, was named First Team All-Big Ten, received the John Oswald award of leadership and was a Sports Mural Honoree.
As Athletic Director, Cadogan said he will work with the coaches to lead SSU’s 22 collegiate varsity teams, make college possible for more students who want to continue to compete while earning their degrees, and in partnership with SSU faculty, advisors and support services, help athletes successfully reach their educational and career goals.
“I am excited to help push our athletes to reach their goals, both athletically and academically,” Cadogan said. “I feel honored to be a part of something that is great and lend my voice to it, promote it, and amplify it. Can’t wait to roll up my sleeves and get to work!”
To learn more about Athletics at Shawnee State University, visit ssubears.com.