On the Chico State Athletics staff directory, Shannon Hall is listed as “Compliance Coordinator.” Those within the Wildcat Family, however, know her contributions to the department to be more. Much, much more. Shannon goes out of her way to help ’Cat student-athletes stay on task to maintain their academic eligibility. She advises and provides support services to assure student-athletes they have all the help they need to succeed in the classroom. She assists Chico State coaches in following rigid NCAA and conference recruiting rules. She’s served as a mentor to students interested in the administrative side of the college sports world. And she’s done it all in a way that truly embraces the spirit of “Wildcat Family.” We salute Shannon Hall and her many contributions by making her the latest Wildcat of the Week.
“Although it’s my job, it doesn’t feel like a job. It’s an opportunity,” Hall said. “When I go to work every day, I have the opportunity to provide insight and friendship to both students and colleagues. It’s exciting to be part of an environment where everyone is on the same team, striving for the same type of excellence.”
“Shannon combines her strong academic support experience and infectious energy to positively impact our program daily,” said Chico State Athletics Director Anita Barker. “She is passionate about student success and works tirelessly to come up with new and creative ways to support our student-athletes. Wildcat Athletics is lucky that Shannon chose to become a member of the Wildcat Family!”
Brian Ceccon, Chico State’s Associate Athletics Director and Hall’s predecessor in Compliance, echoes Barker’s sentiments.
“Shannon has taken the customer service approach we’ve created in Compliance to a whole new level,” Ceccon said. “Her academic-related knowledge and her ability to share that information with our student-athletes is a game changer. She provides resources our student-athletes can trust and know are always available to them. I have always felt, during my time in Athletics, that we have made Compliance an open-door resource for our student-athletes, but Shannon has made that space into something special.”
A Chico State alum (B.A. in communication studies in 2005, M.A. in organizational communications in 2007), Hall logged nearly a decade working in advising, admissions, and athletics at Fresno State and Sacramento State. She returned to her alma mater in 2015 to be part of the university’s Academic Advising Programs. When the chance came in early 2019 to join the Athletics Department, she did not hesitate.
“This is where I belong,” Hall said. “The student-athlete population motivates me every day. For awhile, there was a void in my professional career, and when I came back to college sports, I immediately felt inspired. It makes me feel good to be able to serve as something of a guiding light for these student-athletes.”
Hall has been particularly busy during the fall semester. Despite pandemic-caused limitations and devoting the time necessary to raise her two children Wyatt and Eleanor, Hall has coordinated regular Zoom “drop in” meetings for student-athletes. This well-attended resource allows students to meet with her individually to discuss anything from class struggles and NCAA eligibility to registering for classes and changing majors.
Hall has been the driving force for Chico State Athletics to align itself with the NCAA’s myPlaybook educational system, an online resource that provides student-athletes with vital information concerning mental health, wellness, dietary challenges, and effective time management.
Hall has also been one of the major forces behind Chico State Athletics producing an in-house recruitment video, which coaches will be able to utilize beginning in November. Hall created an internship for Wildcat basketball standout Malik Duffy to create the video, and with Hall’s guidance, he researched and developed a script that was unique to the Wildcat Family experience, as well as gathering fellow athletes to serve as the talent in the video.
As if she’s not busy enough, Hall is currently tackling the job of processing student registration for the upcoming spring semester.
How can she take on so many projects at once, you may ask?
“I’ve really learned that you have to be flexible and adaptable,” Hall said. “It’s fast-paced in athletics. If you’re okay with the unknown, you get through it with more patience. I’ve learned a lot of those skills just by being a mom.”
Nadia Torkman, a former Wildcat women’s track & field athlete who worked as a Compliance intern during the 2019–20 academic year, is a recent beneficiary of Hall’s guidance. Torkman now serves as Chico State Athletics’ Leadership and Engagement graduate intern, and is overseeing the brand-new ’CatsSkills program, which she developed to help foster the complete student-athlete through leadership development, personal development, professional development, and community engagement, while aligning with NCAA, CCAA, and Student-Athlete Advisory Committee strategic priorities.
“Shannon has been very supportive (of the ’CatsSkills program),” Torkman said. “She helped me brainstorm and let me bounce ideas off her. Her professional experience helped with the verbiage and the approach that would best connect with students.”
As a result of her internship under Hall, Torkman developed a relationship she deems very special.
“I’ve never had that kind of personal, professional relationship,” Torkman said. “We clicked because we’re like-minded in wanting to provide student-athletes the best services available.
“Shannon was definitely the one who planted the seed of inspiration. She makes even mundane topics interesting. The athletics environment is one that allows Shannon’s passion and enthusiasm to thrive. We’re very lucky to have her.”
Hall feels the same towards the Wildcat Family, and looks forward to the day where she’ll see everybody back in the hallways of Acker Gym.
“Walking into work is like walking into home,” Hall said.
Do you know a Wildcat who deserves to be considered for a Wildcat of the Week honor? We're looking for current student-athletes who are making you proud athletically, academically, and/or in the community. If you have an idea, please take a moment to let us know by completing this five-question survey.
