Shane O'Donnell, who just completed his 34th year as Sports Information Director at Tiffin University, has announced his retirement following a decorated career.
O'Donnell became Tiffin's first Sports Information Director in 1992, and he has held that title since then. He created the TU athletic history archives which included researching the department's history dating back to 1900. Additionally, he organized and oversaw the creation of photo and video archives.
O'Donnell has been writing and covering TU athletics since 1986 when counting the seven years he worked at the Advertiser-Tribune, predating the creation of the Gillmor Center and coinciding with the first year of Tiffin football.
O'Donnell started broadcasting Tiffin athletic events on various media, first on local cable access which eventually led to online streaming. He helped create and oversee every Tiffin athletic website and has worked for TU athletics longer than any other athletics staff member in the school's history (34 years).
O'Donnell is a TU icon who helped establish the Tiffin University Hall of Fame and has served as the chair of the Hall of Fame committee for 30 years.
"It has been quite the ride watching the growth and development of the athletic department during my time at Tiffin. When I started at Tiffin, we had 12 sports, and we have twice as many now. The athletic department was accomplishing great things when I started here, and it has continued to do great things as it has grown," said O'Donnell. "I want to thank Dr. George Kidd, Jr., Dr. Paul Marion, and Dr. Lillian Schumacher for providing leadership and vision as Presidents during my time here. I also cannot thank the Athletic Directors enough that I have worked under – Ian Day, Lonny Allen, and Kelly Daniel - for all of their support and encouragement over the years. I look forward to seeing our teams continuing to compete at the highest levels. The only difference is now I will be watching as a fan like everyone else."
"For 34 years, Shane has worked tirelessly behind the scenes in support of Dragon Nation. He has witnessed the evolution of our University and has been with us every step of the way," said Assistant Vice President for Athletics and Director of Athletics Kelly Daniel. "Shane has served as a trusted historian and passionate advocate for the University, playing a central role in documenting and preserving Tiffin University athletic history. His leadership in the development and expansion of the athletics history portal has helped ensure the achievements, traditions, and stories of Dragon Nation are accurately preserved and meaningfully shared for generations to come."
Daniel concluded by saying, "Today, an office door closed for the last time, but the impact Shane has made and the memories he helped create will live on forever. His legacy will always remain a part of Dragon Athletics. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for everything, Shane. Keep cheering us on … just from a different seat now."
"Shane's tenure at Tiffin University is truly admirable," said President Dr. Lillian Schumacher. "Shane, thank you for your many years of service to Tiffin University. Not only did you devote your professional career to TU, but as an alumnus, you also gave us one of our most cherished traditions by writing our alma mater and fight song. What a lasting and meaningful gift you have left for generations of Dragons. Your legacy will continue to live on through the spirit, pride, and traditions of Tiffin University."
