Shaw University has named Laura Aker as its new head volleyball and softball coach.  Aker replaces Dianthia Ford-Kee, who has been the head volleyball and softball coach the last 14 years, after she was named associate athletics director in June. 

Aker is no stranger to the Shaw athletic program having served as a volunteer assistant coach for the Lady Bear softball team for the past 12 years.  She helped lead the Lady Bears to CIAA Championships in 1994, 1996 and 2003.  Shaw participated in its first ever NCAA Division II Mid-Atlantic Regional appearance in 2003.

Aker was a former four-time All-CIAA standout for the Lady Bears.  Shaw is a 1991 graduate of Shaw with a BS degree in Business Management.

“I am excited for the new venture I am about to embark upon,” said Aker, who also played volleyball for the Lady Bears as a sophomore.  “I’ll be doing something obviously I really enjoy doing.  It’s great to be a head coach for two sports at the place I started.”