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Athletic Department  Athletic Director
Slaats has continuously made efforts to improve conditions for student-athletes and others associated with Forester Athletics. The newly-renovated Farwell Field is the most recent enhancement. The facility received a new set of bleachers, press box, and state-of-the-art synthetic playing surface during the summer of 2004 and hosts both football and soccer games. Slaats also led her department's transition to Halas Hall, which was completed in the summer of 2001. Under her leadership, funds were raised and the former home of the Chicago Bears was transformed into one of the finest athletic department office settings in the country. In addition to the second-floor offices, the lower level and basement contain a spacious weight room, locker rooms, training room, meeting rooms and a racquetball court. Slaats's collection of accomplishments also includes the creation of the F.A.N. Club (Forester Athletic Network), the College's booster club, and the A.C.E. (Academic and Athletic Commitment to Excellence) Program, which was largely responsible for the student-athlete GPA consistently rivaling that of the entire student body. That impressive list does not even begin to mention her countless projects to help promote school spirit, including the creation of a school mascot, Athletic Council, Forester Fests, the resurrection of Homecoming weekend and the addition of other alumni events…and the list goes on. Under Slaats's watch, the College's athletic programs have reached new heights while maintaining and even advancing the ideals and philosophies of NCAA Division III athletics. In terms of competition, Lake Forest continued to succeed last year when 14 of the 17 varsity sports qualified for their conference or national tournament. Six Forester teams posted runner-up finishes at their respective conference or association tournament and Lake Forest squads combined for a .539 winning percentage in league play. The College's student-athletes were equally successful in the classroom, combining for nearly a 3.0 grade point average and earning 58 Academic All-Conference awards. Slaats was also extremely successful as the Foresters' head women's basketball coach from 1986-2008, posting a 386-133 record in those 22 seasons. In addition, she directed Lake Forest's volleyball program to a 100-84 record in six years prior to accepting the athletic director position. Major Athletic Department Accomplishments During Slaats’s 16-Year Tenure:
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When Jackie Slaats assumed the Lake Forest College Athletic Director position 1992, one of the first things she did was to hang a sign in the Sports Center that reads, “Lake Forest College: A Tradition of Excellence.” Throughout Slaats's tenure as Athletic Director, she has strived to uphold and enhance this tradition, and the results of her leadership can be seen throughout the entire athletic department and College community.
