Sarah Jurewicz Named Wittenberg's Senior Woman Administrator

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio - Wittenberg University Director of Athletics and Recreation Gary Williams has announced that Women’s Basketball Head Coach Sarah Jurewicz will serve as Senior Woman Administrator (SWA) for the Department of Athletics, replacing Joni Williamson, who recently accepted a position with the NCAA. 

Jurewicz, a 1998 graduate of Wittenberg University, has led the Tiger women’s basketball program since 2007. She assumed the role on an interim basis following the passing of her mentor, longtime women’s basketball head coach and SWA Pam Smith, and she was named the team’s permanent coach following the 2007-08 season. 

The program’s all-time leading scorer and a 2009 inductee into Wittenberg’s Athletics Hall of Honor, Jurewicz has guided the Tigers to an overall record of 111-86 in her seven-plus seasons at the helm. Before returning to her alma mater, Jurewicz was an assistant coach at Savannah College of Art and Design and Colorado College. 

“I am proud to serve alongside Sarah as she accepts the responsibility of becoming Wittenberg’s Senior Woman Administrator,” Williams said. “She is one of the most passionate, enthusiastic, and caring coaches in our department, and I believe that she is the perfect fit for our administrative team. Sarah will bring great leadership and perspective to our department as we continue to shape and mold our team over the course of the coming year.” 

A native of Shakopee, Minn., Jurewicz has one North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) regular season title and two NCAC Tournament runner-up finishes on her coaching resume. As a student-athlete at Wittenberg, she played on teams that won NCAC regular season and tournament titles and advanced to the NCAA Division III Tournament three times (1995, 1996 and 1998). 

“To have the opportunity to expand my service to the Department of Athletics and Wittenberg University through my new appointment as the SWA is an honor and an opportunity I embrace with eagerness,” Jurewicz said. “Much of my work in higher education has revolved around helping others get the most out of their college experience and be the best they can be while striving for the most equitable experience possible. I sense I can have a greater impact now from this position.” 

Jurewicz, who earned a master of fine arts from Savannah College of Art and Design, has taught several different classes at Wittenberg, and she is a constant presence around campus. She has served on a variety of committees, and she has immersed herself in community services activities, including three trips to the impoverished African kingdom of Lesotho, where she joined current Wittenberg students and professors in projects to benefit orphanages. 

“Sarah will be instrumental as we continue to build an athletic department that keeps student success, the mission of the university, and responsible financial decision-making at the heart of what we do,” Williams said. “I am excited for our student-athletes and coaches who will have an opportunity to be impacted by her positive spirit and Tiger pride through their interactions with her in this role.”

Written By: Ryan Maurer