Life University Athletics

MARIETTA, Ga. --- Tuesday morning Life University Director of Athletics Jayme Pendergast announced the hiring of Jenitra Shields as the head coach of Life U's newest sport, women's flag football.

Shields has been involved in both tackle and flag football for nearly a decade as both a player and coach. As a player, she has seen it all, being a Women's Football Alliance National Team select from 2013-18 while also playing for the Atlanta Phoenix women's tackle football team over that time, was a WNFC National Team All-American from 2019-21, played for the 2017 Gold Medal Winning Team USA IFAF Women's World Football Championship team, and was inducted into the Women's Football Hall of Fame in 2020. She has coached at all levels, finding success at high schools, being a site leader for Atlanta Falcons Youth Camps, and was tabbed as inaugural head coach for the Pratt Community College women's flag football team. Shields combination of experience as a coach and athlete, combined with her time acting as an administrator and teacher sets her up favorably to lead Life U women's flag football going forward.

Pendergast spoke in detail about looking forward to what Shields will bring to the table. "I'm really excited about bringing Jenitra on board.  She has significant experience in the sport and is a competitor.  Her vision for the program was articulated really well and she was very intentional about the student-athlete development side of coaching." Pendergast finished saying, "I look forward to supporting Jenitra in building a championship program."

Shields views the ability to get to mold a new program as an exciting prospect, using stirring words. "I feel overwhelmingly honored to be charged with the job of growing a legacy with Life University Women's flag football program. With great influence comes greater responsibility." She continued, expressing gratitude, "I thank Life University for the opportunity to be a part of the athletics family."

The women's flag football team begins competition in 2023-24; all interested recruits can fill out the linked form.