As the founder of Friends of Jaclyn, I have had the privilege of working with athletic directors, coaches, and student-athletes across the country. I’ve seen leadership expressed in many ways—but what Cara Crosslin, Athletic Director at Shelton State Community College in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, has done goes far beyond support. Cara has embraced our mission, lived it, and elevated it in a way that has deeply impacted her campus and community.
Friends of Jaclyn exists to improve the quality of life for children battling pediatric cancer by connecting them with teams, schools, and organizations that “adopt” them during their fight. Under Cara’s leadership, every Shelton State athletic team adopted Krystal, a courageous young girl battling a brain tumor. From the moment Shelton State embraced Krystal, it was clear this was not going to be a symbolic gesture—it was going to be a commitment.
Cara understands that athletics is one of the most powerful platforms for teaching leadership. Championships matter, but character matters more. By bringing Friends of Jaclyn into Shelton State athletics, she gave her student-athletes the opportunity to experience leadership in its purest form—showing up for someone else, staying engaged, and using their voices to lift another human being during the hardest fight of her life.
Watching Shelton State’s teams rally around Krystal reinforced why our mission works. Letters, messages, game-day recognitions, and personal outreach became part of the culture. Krystal wasn’t just adopted by a team—she was embraced by an entire athletic department. At the same time, student-athletes gained something invaluable: perspective. They learned that their platform can change lives.
Cara’s impact, however, did not stop with athletics.
Recognizing that pediatric cancer affects entire communities—not just families—Cara took the NED (No Evidence of Disease) message to a new level by organizing and hosting a community town hall. This event invites students, faculty, healthcare professionals, survivors, families, and community members to come together, share stories, learn, and engage in meaningful conversation.
That decision speaks volumes about her leadership. It takes courage to open the doors and create space for difficult conversations. It takes vision to understand that awareness leads to action. And it takes heart to bring people together around hope.
Throughout her career, Cara has been known for her achievements in athletics administration and her ability to instill leadership in those around her. What sets her apart is her willingness to lead with empathy. She doesn’t just talk about values—she models them. She shows student-athletes that success is not only measured in wins and losses, but in the lives you impact along the way.
From my perspective as founder of Friends of Jaclyn, Cara’s leadership exemplifies what is possible when athletics is used as a platform for compassion, purpose, and meaningful impact. She has shown that an athletic director can be a champion not only for teams, but for children fighting for their lives.
By adopting Krystal, empowering her student-athletes, and inviting the community to stand together through the NED town hall, Cara Crosslin has redefined what it means to be a leader in collegiate athletics. At Shelton State, leadership is not just taught—it is lived. And because of that, lives are being changed.
