Shawn Joy serves as an assistant athletics director for OPSU in addition to his roles as Director of Alumni Relations and an HPE instructor for the University. Previously, Joy was the head baseball coach for five seasons from 2020 through 2024.
In his assistant athletics director duties, Joy is involved in administrative oversight and decisions, as well as gameday setup and operations for the Aggies. His role is especially crucial in building community relationships, creating local partnerships, and generating and maintaining sponsors to aid in the success of OPSU Athletics.
Head Coaching Highlights at OPSU (Five Seasons from 2020-2024)
Joy led the OPSU Aggies' baseball program at The Grib for five seasons and left a legacy of achievement both on and off the field. Under his guidance, the OPSU baseball team achieved significant milestones, including qualifying for the conference tournament every season during his tenure. Notable accomplishments include Ethan Hunt signing a professional contract in 2022, historic victories over Texas Wesleyan and OCU, and sweeping a four-game series for the first time in program history in both 2021 and 2022. In the 2024 season, the Aggies were ranked in the top-10 in the NAIA for double plays turned. Joy coached four All-SAC players during his tenure: Colby Diduch, Lane Field, Ethan Hunt and Markus Bracey.
The OPSU baseball team also maintained a team GPA of 3.0 or higher for eight consecutive semesters, demonstrating Joy's commitment to academic excellence for his athletes. The 2020 team was awarded the Sooner Athletic Conference Champions of Character Award, Joy oversaw 24 players who made the SAC Commissioner’s Honor Roll, and 18 players made SAC Academic All-Conference under Joy’s direction. Additionally, two players were named SAC Scholar-Athletes, and one player (Nico Rodriguez) was selected as the SAC’s representative for the NAIA Dr. Leroy Walker Student-Athlete of Character Award during his tenure.
Before OPSU
Prior to being named the head baseball coach of the Aggies ahead of the 2019-2020 academic year, Joy spent one season as an assistant baseball coach at the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith. From 2015-2018, Joy was an assistant coach at Washburn University, and he was the associate head coach at Independence Community College from 2012-2015. Joy also briefly served as an assistant for Cloud Community College, Jefferson West High School, and Southern Illinois University – Carbondale.
In total, including his time as OPSU’s head baseball coach, Joy has coached eight players to professional contracts, 24 all-conference players, and the MIAA Pitcher of the Year.
Playing Career
Joy began his own playing career at Cloud County C.C. before finishing his college career at SIU-Carbondale. He played minor league ball for the New York Yankees' affiliate in the Gulf Coast League. He also spent one season with the Traverse City Beach Bums and two seasons with Southern Illinois Miners, both of the Independent Frontier League. In 2012, Joy was a member of the Quebec Capitales in the Can-Am League.Â
Education
Joy earned an associate degree from Cloud County Community College, his bachelor’s degree from Southern Illinois University, and a master’s degree from East Central University.
Personal
Coach Joy resides in Texhoma, Oklahoma, with his wife, Meagan; and their two children, Charlotte and Cal.
Â
