Jake Shaver '06 to succeed Olsen as coach

Jake Shaver, a 2006 Augustana graduate and cross country captain, has been chosen to succeed Paul Olsen as head coach of the college's men's track and field and cross country programs.

Olsen will retire at the end of this academic year after 52 years as cross country head coach and 50 leading the track and field program.
 
"It is a privilege to return to Augustana College to lead its storied cross country and track and 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."
 
Olsen calls Shaver "Mr. Enthusiastic,"

"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," Olsen said.
 
Shaver returns to Rock Island from Illinois State University in Normal, where he has been an assistant coach in track and field and cross country for men and women since 2014. Prior to his time at Illinois State, he held track and cross country head coaching positions for both men and women at Fontbonne University in St. Louis (2012-13) and Millikin University in Decatur, Ill. (2013-14). From 2006-10, he served as an assistant coach in both sports at the University of Chicago.

"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," said said Mike Zapolski, Augustana director of athletics.

"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. He was an assistant coach for men's and women's track and field and cross country at Rhodes College in Memphis, Tenn., in 2010-11 and in 2011-12, served as an adjunct instructor in the health and physical education department at Aurora University in Aurora, Ill.
 
Shaver earned a B.A. in biology and psychology from Augustana in 2006 and a master's in teaching from National-Louis University in Chicago in 2009.