Dr. Holly Sheilley is a nationally respected collegiate athletics executive with more than 30 years of leadership experience spanning NCAA Divisions I, II, III and the NAIA. Throughout her career, she has established a reputation for transforming athletics departments through strategic vision, championship culture, student-athlete development, and organizational excellence. She currently serves as Executive Director of Athletics at the University of Missouri–St. Louis (UMSL), where she has led one of the most successful periods in department history.
Since arriving at UMSL in 2024, Sheilley has implemented her "Champions by Design" philosophy, creating a department-wide culture centered on competitive excellence, academic achievement, leadership development, belonging, and long-term organizational success. Under her leadership, UMSL Athletics has produced six conference championships, 15 NCAA Tournament team appearances, 24 All-Americans, seven Academic All-Americans, 74 All-GLVC selections, and a combined overall record of 315-206-17 (.601). The department achieved the highest Learfield Directors' Cup finish in school history, placing 37th nationally following the 2025-26 academic year.
The 2025-26 academic year marked a historic milestone for Triton Athletics as UMSL celebrated its first NCAA National Champion when swimmer Justice Beard captured three individual national titles. The department also claimed conference championships in volleyball, women's soccer, women's basketball, men's golf, women's golf, women's tennis, and baseball while producing 17 All-Americans in a single academic year. Beyond competitive success, Sheilley has strengthened campus partnerships, expanded community engagement, and fostered a culture that emphasizes excellence in competition, academics, leadership, and student-athlete well-being.
Prior to joining UMSL, Sheilley served for 11 years as Vice President for Athletics and Director of Athletics at Transylvania University, where she transformed the Pioneers into one of the nation's premier NCAA Division III athletics programs. During her tenure at Transylvania, Sheilley spent three years as the vice president for enrollment and student life alongside her athletic responsibilities.
Under her leadership, Transylvania earned consecutive top-55 Learfield Directors' Cup finishes, including a top-50 national ranking, captured the 2023-24 HCAC Commissioner's Cup, and sent seven teams to NCAA Tournament competition during her final year. Sheilley's leadership culminated in the university's first NCAA National Championship when the women's basketball program completed a perfect 33-0 season to win the 2023 NCAA Division III title following consecutive Final Four appearances. Her tenure was also marked by significant growth in fundraising, corporate partnerships, facility enhancements, alumni engagement, and strategic initiatives that strengthened the department's long-term sustainability. She became the first woman to serve as Director of Athletics at Transylvania University and only the third female collegiate athletics director in Kentucky history.
Before leading Transylvania Athletics, Sheilley served at the NCAA national office as Assistant Director of Championships. In that role, she managed numerous NCAA Division I and Division III national championships, including football, cross country, track and field, rowing, and women's basketball. Her experience at the national office provided broad exposure to NCAA governance, championship administration, strategic planning, and collaboration with institutional and conference leaders from across the country.
Sheilley joined the NCAA after spending eight years at the University of Louisville, where she held progressively responsible leadership positions in athletics compliance, championships administration, and student-athlete development. Working within one of the nation's premier Division I athletics departments, she developed extensive experience in NCAA compliance, governance, championship operations, and student-athlete services while contributing to the success of nationally competitive programs.
Sheilley's collegiate athletics career began at Lindsey Wilson College, where she served as head volleyball and softball coach. During her coaching tenure, she earned four conference Coach of the Year honors while establishing the student-centered leadership philosophy that continues to define her approach today.
A nationally recognized leader in intercollegiate athletics governance, Sheilley has served on many of the NCAA's highest governing bodies, including the NCAA Board of Governors, NCAA Division III Management Council, NCAA Minority Opportunities and Interests Committee, NCAA Division I Men's and Women's Track & Field Committee (Chair), and NCAA Division III Management Council (Chair). She currently serves on the NCAA Division II Strategic Planning and Finance Committee, the Great Lakes Valley Conference Steering Committee, and the St. Louis Sports Commission.
She earned her bachelor's degree in physical education from Asbury University, a master's degree in health education from Eastern Kentucky University, and a Ph.D. in sport administration from the University of Louisville. She was inducted into the Asbury University Athletics Hall of Fame in 2016 and also received the university's Young Alumni Award. As a three-sport student-athlete in volleyball, basketball, and softball, she earned the prestigious Gamble-Walker Award, recognizing the institution's outstanding graduating student-athlete for excellence in academics, athletics, leadership, and character.
Throughout her career, Sheilley has consistently built championship cultures that develop exceptional students, successful teams, and thriving athletics departments. Her record of success reflects a commitment to innovation, collaboration, integrity, and preparing student-athletes for meaningful achievement in competition, the classroom, and beyond.
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