Ross Barker

Haley Van Voorhis, Christchurch School wide receiver/defensive back, recently announced her commitment to play football at Shenandoah University in the fall. This makes her the first woman to play on an NCAA football team at a position other than kicker or punter.

Van Voorhis said, in a phone interview with the Winchester Star, that she’s not trying to break any barriers with this commitment, but she does hope that more women will follow her footsteps.

The 17-year-old athlete visited Shenandoah on Dec 11. She was hosted by defensive backs coach Byron Mitchell. She was offered a spot on the team the day that she visited.

Rising senior captain, Mason Caldwell, is looking forward to having her on the team. He says “We are really excited to have her on our team and see how she can contribute for us on our quest to an ODAC championship.”

Head coach Scott Yoder is certainly excited to have her join his team in the fall. He said in an interview “I am very excited to have her join the recruiting class. She is a good athlete that will probably end up as a defensive back. Haley has earned this opportunity and we are thrilled she is a Hornet.”

The Shenandoah football team will begin the 2021 fall season on Sep 4 at 1 p.m. at Shentel Stadium against Methodist University.