Jake Shaver, a 2006 Augustana graduate and Viking cross country captain in 2005, was chosen in January of 2018 to succeed Paul Olsen as head coach of the college’s men’s track & field and cross country programs. Olsen announced his retirement after 52 years as the Vikings’ cross country head coach and 50 leading the track & field program.
“It is a privilege to return to Augustana College to lead its storied cross country and track & field programs,” said Shaver. “The incredible legacy of Paul Olsen and his tremendous impact on the lives of generations of Augie alumni will inspire me every day. I will work hard to ensure a continued outstanding track and field experience and program success going forward. I would like to thank Mike Zapolski, President Bahls, Coach Olsen, and the Augustana administration and staff for entrusting me with this opportunity.”
Olsen calls Shaver “Mr. Enthusiastic,” adding “As an Augustana cross country and track graduate, he will continue emphasizing an atmosphere of energy and commitment to every athlete at all levels, and he joins a staff of expert and compassionate assistants.”
In Shaver’s first year (2018-19), his harriers placed third at the CCIW Championships. His track & field outfit finished second in the conference both indoors and outdoors, bested 27 teams to win the Viking Olympics and crowned a total of three All-Americans. In 2019-20 Augustana was fifth at the CCIW Cross Country Championship and fourth at the CCIW Indoor Track & Field Championships. The 2020 indoor national meet and entire outdoor season were canceled by fears over COVID-19, as were the 2020 cross country season and 2021 indoor track championships. Normal competition finally returned in the spring of 2021 and Shaver’s squad hosted and placed fourth at the CCIW Championships.
Shaver returned to Rock Island from Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois, where he had been an assistant coach in track & field and cross country for both the men and women Redbirds since 2014. Prior to his time at Illinois State, he held track and cross country head coaching positions for both the men and women at Fontbonne University in St. Louis, Missouri (2012-13) and Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois (2013-14). From 2006-10, he served as an assistant coach in both sports at the University of Chicago.
While at Millikin, Shaver also served as a Midwest Regional Representative on the Executive Board of the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.
“I am pleased that Jake Shaver will be returning to Augustana as our next men's cross country and track coach with the task of continuing the tradition of excellence at both the conference and national level,” said Augustana Director of Athletics Mike Zapolski. “As an alum, Jake has a solid understanding of the special culture and ethos of these outstanding programs, plus he brings his own experiences from several other coaching positions in the region over the last 12 years. Jake's enthusiasm and passion for cross country and track will serve him well in the recruiting process and allow for a seamless transition in the months ahead.”
From 2006 to 2010, Shaver was a science teacher at Hyde Park High School in Chicago, Illinois. He was an assistant coach for men’s and women’s track & field and cross country at Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee in 2010-11 and in 2011-12, served as an adjunct instructor in the health and physical education department at Aurora University in Aurora, Illinois.
Shaver earned his Bachelor of Arts in biology and psychology from Augustana in 2006 and his master’s in teaching from National-Louis University in Chicago, Illinois in 2009.
JAKE SHAVER’S RECORD AT AUGUSTANA
| |
Cross Country |
|
Outdoor T&F |
|
Indoor T&F |
| YEAR |
CCIW |
NCAA |
|
CCIW |
NCAA |
|
CCIW |
NCAA |
| 2018-19 |
3rd |
- |
|
2nd |
42nd |
|
2nd |
42nd |
| 2019-20 |
5th |
- |
|
* |
* |
|
4th |
* |
| 2020-21 |
* |
* |
|
4th |
- |
|
* |
* |
*—canceled
