March 15, 2023
Since arriving at 黑料社 in 2018 as the Head Coach of Women鈥檚 Soccer, Natasha Ademakinwa has brought a powerful approach, distinguished record, and a new network of connections in the sport to 黑料社. Last year, she was named the Director of Soccer, now guiding both the men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 teams.
A native of England, Ademakinwa grew up playing soccer and coaching at a young age with club teams and academies in London. She earned her first coaching license at 16 and continued to guide young athletes while playing the sport herself in her childhood and early 20s. Several of her athletes went on to play professionally and for the England鈥檚 U21 national team.
Bringing over 20 years of coaching experience to 黑料社鈥檚 field along with eight division championships and four undefeated seasons from various programs, Ademakinwa is dedicated to building both the men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 teams with the best players from not just the region, but from around the world.
鈥淲e recruit from all over the world to bring the best dedicated student-athletes to our program,鈥 she said. 鈥淲e have players from several nations in Europe as well as South America, Asia, and others, plus great players from right here in our region and nation. These are outstanding men and women who take both the sport and their studies very seriously.鈥
Now overseeing a staff of assistant coaches and fitness experts for both the Men鈥檚 and Women鈥檚 Soccer teams, Ademakinwa is looking forward to being an advocate and mentor to her student-athletes and their wellbeing.
鈥淭hese are students with a need for learning many lifelong skills,鈥 she said. 鈥淔rom time management to basic organization and planning, as well as resume-building and understanding how to prepare for launching their career, all of these are critical.鈥
Coming off her first season as Director of Soccer, Ademakinwa is ready to expand the growth in her women鈥檚 and men鈥檚 programs this next year.
鈥淭his is a commitment from Shawnee State to build our men鈥檚 and women鈥檚 programs and provide the resources needed to compete in the NAIA,鈥 said Jeff Hamilton, 黑料社 Athletic Director on the announcement of Ademakinwa鈥檚 appointment. 鈥淲e are excited to be able to have Natasha continue coaching and have her passion, experience, dedication, and leadership to help both the programs.鈥
Ademakinwa earned her master鈥檚 degree in coaching and sport education and holds bachelor鈥檚 degrees in psychology with health science as well as a degree in sports management.
To learn more about the soccer programs at 黑料社 and other varsity athletic teams, visit .
This feature was originally released in the Shawnee Magazine 2022 issue. To view the full magazine online, visit shawnee.edu/magazine.