Lake Forest College
Athletic Department

Jackie Slaats came to Lake Forest College in 1986 as the head volleyball and women's basketball coach. In 1992 she stopped coaching volleyball and became the College's Athletic Director, a title she still holds. After 22 seasons as basketball coach, Slaats resigned from that position in 2008 and added Senior Advisor to the President to her responsibilities on campus.

One of the first things Slaats did as Athletic Director in 1992 was to hang a sign in the Sports Center that reads, “Lake Forest College: A Tradition of Excellence.” Throughout her tenure as Athletic Director, she has strived to uphold and enhance this tradition, and the results of her leadership can be seen throughout the entire athletic department and College community.

Slaats has continuously made efforts to improve conditions for student-athletes and others associated with Forester Athletics. The current $17-million renovation of the Sports Center is the most recent enhancement. The 63,000 square foot facility will include several new areas for students to train, exercise, and socialize. Slaats also led the 2004 renovation of Farwell Field, home of the Forester football and soccer teams, and her staff's 2001 transition to Halas Hall, former home of the Chicago Bears. In addition, Slaats' collection of accomplishments includes the creation of the F.A.N. Club (Forester Athletic Network), the College's booster club, and the A.C.E. (Academic and Athletic Commitment to Excellence) Program, which contributes to the proud fact that the student-athlete GPA consistently rivals that of the entire student body. That list does not even mention her countless projects to help promote school spirit, including the creation of a school mascot, Athletic Council, Forester Fests, the resurrection of Homecoming weekend and the addition of other alumni events.

During Slaats' 17 years as athletic director, the Foresters have reached new heights while maintaining and even advancing the ideals and philosophies of NCAA Division III athletics. In terms of competition, Lake Forest continued to succeed last year when 12 of the 17 varsity sports competed in their conference or association tournaments/meets. Forester student-athletes were named all-conference 36 times and established or tied 36 school records. They were equally successful in the classroom, combining for nearly a 3.0 grade point average and earning 52 Academic All-Conference awards.

Slaats enjoyed an extremely successful career as the College's women's basketball coach, posting a 386-133 record in 22 seasons from 1986-2008. Her teams claimed six conference titles and her .743 career winning percentage ranks among the top 20 in NCAA Division III history. In addition, she led the volleyball program to a 100-84 record in six years prior to becoming the athletic director. She was inducted into the College's Athletic Hall of Fame in 2008.

Major Athletic Department Accomplishments During Slaats’s Tenure:

• 35 conference championships, incuding at least one in 11 different sports.
• Created and secured funding for an Athletic Hall of Fame and Trophy Room to honor the rich history of Forester Athletics.
• Adoption of a black bear mascot ("Boomer") and bear paw logo, the first time since the early 1980s that a “Forester” identity existed.
• Re-designed the Athletic Council to promote the development of student leadership skills and school spirit.
• Assumed a leadership role in the adoption of a new weekly class schedule that allows a block out time for extra-curricular activities.
• Spearheaded campus-wide programs to address relevant topics such as drugs and alcohol, diversity, and hazing.
• Increased community support and attendance through various programs, including National Girls and Women in Sports Day, Take a Kid to the Game Day, and a partnership with the Winter Club of Lake Forest.
• Promoted involvement between Forester student-athletes and the community through programs such as Adopt-a-Highway, Coaches vs. Cancer, Misericordia, the Walter Payton Toy Drive, Special Olympic Skills Day, etc.

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