DUDLEY, Mass. (12/16/2025) - Shelby Eason, Class of 2025, has stepped into the role of Graduate Assistant for Nichols College Athletics Game Day Operations. Shelby brings energy, leadership, and dedication to the athletic department while also managing both the women's ice hockey team and the softball team.
Shelby is originally from Atkinson, New Hampshire, but she attended Haverhill High School in Massachusetts. During her time there, she was a member of both the basketball and softball teams, ultimately earning the role of softball team captain. She graduated in 2021 with plans to continue her athletic career at the college level.
Shelby first heard about Nichols through a former softball teammate who was currently on the Nichols roster. After scheduling a tour and meeting with the former head coach and current Interim Director of Athletics, Kristan Mallet, Shelby knew she had found what she describes as "a home away from home." She committed to Nichols playing softball and planned to major in Criminal Justice with a minor in Psychology.
Throughout her four years at Nichols, Shelby was involved in many areas across campus. She played on the Nichols Softball team for all four years, and during the 2025 season she was part of the record-breaking team that set the program record for most wins in a season, finishing 29–11. She also served as the manager for the women's ice hockey team for two seasons. Head Coach Michael Bartlett emphasized her impact:
"She had huge shoes to fill after Harry Doyle, and she made an immediate impact. She is part of a staff that coaches and players have unwavering trust in. The value she brings is respected across the board. It's going to be a dark day when we lose her on staff."
In addition to her roles as an athlete and team manager, Shelby worked in the Nichols Athletics Game Day Operations Office for all four years of her undergraduate career.
Academically, Shelby was equally impressive. In the fall of her junior year, she completed an internship at the Worcester County Sheriff's Office in Webster, Massachusetts. There, she gained extensive hands-on experience, working directly with post-incarcerated individuals, assisting with drug testing procedures, traveling to court, and learning about the day-to-day operations of the criminal justice system. Shelby explains that the internship helped her realize what career path she wanted to pursue and provided the real-world experience she needed. She also served as a Teaching Assistant for the Professional Development Seminar (PDS) program.
Shelby graduated in the spring of 2025 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Criminal Justice Management. She later reconnected with Kristan Mallet, who let her know that a graduate assistant position in Athletics was available. Shelby accepted the role, recognizing it as a valuable opportunity to learn more about collegiate athletics while pursuing her master's in organizational leadership.
Returning to Nichols felt like an easy decision for Shelby. She explains that coming back meant continuing to work with people she already had strong connections with all within the welcoming environment that has always felt like home. Now as a graduate assistant, she oversees game day operations and works as a contest manager while also serving as a welcoming face for visiting teams. She describes the position as one that prepares her for a professional environment by strengthening her skills, expanding her network, and helping her grow toward her future career.
Being a student-athlete for four years taught Shelby the importance of relationships, responsibility, and representing something bigger than herself. Softball junior third baseman Sydney Manzione, a former teammate, described Shelby by saying:
"Shelby constantly had a smile on her face and was always the kind of teammate you could rely on. Now, transitioning into her manager role, she brings that same positive energy and continues to be a bright light and a role model."
After completing her master's program, Shelby plans to pursue a leadership-focused career and eventually hopes to become an Environmental Police Officer, using her education and experience to excel in the field. Shelby hopes her legacy at Nichols reflects her hard work, care for others, and constant drive to succeed. She believes that Nichols can be a home for anyone—you just must find what you're passionate about.
