William Jewell College Athletics

Sheri Hodges-Stimac came to William Jewell College in 1981, after becoming the first woman All-American Athlete as a freshman in Southeast Missouri State University’s history.  She excelled in her athletic career at Jewell in varsity swimming, diving, and track and field.

From 1981 to 1984, Sheri was a district champion and conference champion for swimming and diving and was on the All-District team.  Breaking 10 school records and one pool record, she also was a national NAIA competitor four years in a row.  She was a three time All-American team member.

In track and field, Sheri won third place in the shot during the 1982-83 District indoor meet, enabling the team to finish in fifth place.  She then led the team with a third place win in the shot put at the HAAC meet, where her team placed third.

During her senior year, Sheri led the greatest swim team in Jewell’s history, which won six meets and broke forty-one school records.  She qualified for the NAIA notational meet in Arkadelphia, Arkansas; and participated in the district championship and the Jewell Invitational.

Sheri’s athletic capability strengthened the women’s 1983-84 track team as well. The team finished an outstanding season with a 10-1 finish in dual indoor meets.  They also won the HAAC indoor meet, earning second in the outdoor championship and third in both the indoor and outdoor District 16 meets.

At Jewell, Sheri played intramural football, volleyball, and racquetball.  She graduated from William Jewell in 1984 with a Bachelor of Science degree.  Her leadership and athletic prowess led Jewell’s first women’s swimming and diving, as well as track an field, teams.

Sheri, a seventh grade English, literature and social studies teacher, lives in East Alton with her husband Andrew. They have two children, Christopher and Lauren.