ANDERSON, S.C. – In addition to her coaching responsibilities, Anderson University head women's soccer coach Sarah Jacobs has assumed the responsibilities as the Athletic Department's Senior Woman Administrator, as announced on Thursday.
As the department's Senior Woman Administrator, Jacobs will serve on various NCAA committees, participate in eligibility hearings and possibly receive select grants, while being involved in senior-level management decisions within athletics and help lead on major athletic projects and initiatives.
The NCAA membership voted to create the Senior Woman Administrator designation in 1981 — the same year it added women's championships – and the SWA is the highest-ranking female in the department. The purpose of the SWA designation is to promote meaningful representation of women in leadership and management, while providing a visible presence of female role models for student-athletes and staff, as well as for student-athletes and staff to bring issues or concerns.
"We are excited to have Sarah accept this important role for AU Athletics and looking forward to her involvement and leadership as part of the athletic administrative staff," said Vice President for Athletics, Bert Epting.
In her first season at the helm of the Trojan women's soccer program a year ago, Jacobs led the Black and Gold to a fourth-place finish in the highly-competitive South Atlantic Conference and a berth in the conference tournament.
She took the reins of the program in February, 2018 after serving one season as an assistant coach with the Trojans. She was a four-year letterwinner at Clemson (2008-11) and was named the Tigers' MVP in 2010. After exhausting her eligibility, Jacobs extended her playing career by playing professionally in the Netherlands and Australia.
Following her time overseas, she played for the Boston Breakers Reserves and had stints with the Orlando Pride and NC Courage.
Jacobs arrived in the Electric City prior to the 2017 season after a season with FC Dallas and continues to play for Asheville City SC in the Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL). She holds her USSF National "D" License and has served in a variety of roles in several different soccer organizations over the past several years, including serving as club coach and administrator.
She earned her bachelor's degree in mathematics teaching from Clemson in 2012 and earned a masters of education from AU in 2013 while working as a high school math teacher in Greenville, S.C.
Jacobs' team is slated to get the season underway, Saturday, Sept. 7, against Emmanuel at Trojan Stadium, with kick-off set for 5 p.m.
