Elgin, Ill. – Judson University President Dr. Gene C. Crume announced to the student body on Monday that Judson University will begin a football program.

"Thanks to generous philanthropic support [from The Next Foundation], Judson University will be adding football to an already successful and meaningful athletic program," said Judson University President Dr. Gene C. Crume. "From long-standing soccer, basketball, baseball and softball programs to newer sports such as bowling and men's volleyball, adding football provides opportunities for a new group of student-athletes to have access to Christian higher education as they prepare for life and successful careers."

Football will be the 20th sport for Judson University. The program will compete at the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) level. The recruiting process begins immediately as the program looks to add a recruiting class for the fall of 2019.

"We are excited to bring football to Judson University," said Director of Athletics Chad Gassman. "Football has been a huge part of American collegiate athletics for decades, and we look forward to bringing it to the Fox Valley."

The Eagles football team will be led by Head Coach Shawn Flynn. Flynn, a 1989 graduate of Judson, played both baseball and basketball during his time as a student. Flynn has a Master's degree in computer science from Colorado Technical University. He has also been a successful business owner and entrepreneur.

Flynn began coaching high school football in 2008 for Liberty High School (Col.). He was a large part of Liberty's instant turnaround from an 18-game losing streak in 2006-2007 to a 5-5 record in 2008. In 2009, Flynn served as Varsity Defensive Coordinator and made an immediate impact, as Liberty went 9-1 in 2009 for the only 4A conference title in school history.

In 2010, Flynn became the varsity offensive coordinator at Liberty, and then served on the offensive coaching staffs at Hinkley High School and Pondarosa High School in Colorado. He left a legacy by implementing the spread pistol offense that has averaged 45 points per game over the last five seasons.

Flynn has presented about the dynamic up-tempo pistol offense at Glazier clinics, one of the most widely attended coaching seminars in the country. Flynn earned Judson University's Distinguished Alumnus Award in December of 2017, where he also was the keynote speaker during the Fall 2017 commencement ceremony.

Flynn currently resides in Colorado with his wife Wendy, and they have three children – Layton, Dylan, and Kendall.

"It is a great honor and privilege to have the opportunity to return to Judson, my alma mater, and build and lead the Eagles football program," Flynn said. "Judson is a special place for me, and I am truly humbled to be here."

Judson has also hired three assistant coaches with extensive coaching experience: Brandon New (Defensive Coordinator), Ted Scislowski (Offensive Coordinator), and Edward Grassé (Defense).

New brings 18 years of successful coaching experience to Judson University. Coach New has won eight high school state championships, seven as a coach and one as a player, at his alma mater Driscoll Catholic (IL) in Addison, IL. During his time on staff at Driscoll, the team set an IHSA state record winning seven consecutive state championships from 2001-2007. From 2005-2007, Coach New was the Defensive Coordinator at Driscoll, where his teams finished with a combined record of 41-1.

New was the head football coach at Saint Viator High School in Arlington Heights, IL, from 2012-2016 and made the playoffs two of his four years. In addition, he has coached at Benet Academy and Crystal Lake Central, and he helped guide Fenwick to the 7A semi-finals as the defensive coordinator in 2017.

Ted Scislowski's coaching career began in 2008, when he spent the first few years coaching in the Schaumburg Athletic Association and Barrington Youth Football. In 2013, Scislowski transitioned to coaching high school football at Saint Viator High School in Arlington Heights.

Since 2013, Scislowski has been the head coach of either the freshman team or the sophomore team. The highlight of his high school coaching career was the 2016 Sophomore team which went 9-0 and won the conference – a first for a Saint Viator Sophomore program.

Grassé has been coaching football since 2009. Beginning in youth football, he has spent the last six years in the high school ranks at St. Viator High School in Arlington Heights, IL. The highlight of this time frame was, like Scislowski, being on the coaching staff of the undefeated St. Viator 2016 sophomore team.

Grassé has a passion for coaching and developing high character football players. He feels developing young men to become high quality role models makes coaching such a great experience.

The Elgin Area Convention and Visitor's Bureau looks forward to the addition of football at Judson University as well. The Elgin Area CVB plays a large role in the organization of sporting competitions in the Elgin area.

"We look forward to hosting the opposing teams, their families and fans in our Elgin hotels. This is great exposure for Elgin, as today's visitors are tomorrow's residents," says Krisilee Murphy, the Executive Director of the Elgin Area CVB. "[We] are excited for Judson's expansion."

Judson University would like to thank The Next Foundation for its generous support of our football program. The Next Foundation's mission is to create more opportunities for student-athletes to play intercollegiate sports all while emphasizing off the field education that prepares them for whatever comes Next. More information on The Next Foundation can be found, and donations made to the Next Foundation, on their website – www.nextfoundationonline.org.

In conjunction with this announcement, the Judson University Athletic Department has launched a football page on the athletic department's brand-new website, judsoneagles.com. For more information about the football program, please contact Chad Gassman, Director of Athletics, at [email protected]

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