Associate Athletic Director Sarah Freeman has spent nearly two decades shaping the experience of student-athletes at Bushnell University. She occupies a vital role at the intersection of leadership, mentorship, and student support, helping ensure that athletics at Bushnell is committed not only to competitive success, but to the growth and character of its students.
Freeman’s journey to Bushnell was not initially defined by long-term plans. “I came to Bushnell 20 years ago because of life circumstances … I needed a job and ended up finding a calling,” she reflects. What began as a practical decision soon became something far more meaningful. Since joining the athletic department in 2006 as an administrative assistant, she has steadily grown into a central leader for the program and for the university. She now serves on the executive leadership team and oversees student-athlete welfare, academic support, compliance, and retention.
Her path to Bushnell also reflects a unique blend of experiences. After earning a degree in sociology from the University of Oregon, she spent several years in aviation technology, even obtaining her private pilot license before ultimately shifting toward a career in management. At Bushnell, she completed her MBA, bringing together her professional skills, passion for athletics, and desire to invest in students.
We caught up with Freeman to discuss her journey from an unexpected start to a lifelong calling in collegiate athletics, her passion for walking alongside student-athletes through both competition and life, and how Bushnell athletics helps support students’ characters, growth, and purpose.
Connecting with Student-Athletes
Freeman sees the heart of her work not in the responsibilities she holds but in the people she has the opportunity to support.
Every day brings a new rhythm. Some moments unfold on the sidelines while cheering on students during competition. Others take place in quieter, more personal settings. “Whether it’s just sharing a snack in my office, I get to be really relational with our student-athletes,” she says. “Getting to walk with them through their journeys and what life brings them is what probably brings me the most joy.”
That relational approach has become a defining feature of Bushnell athletics. Student-athletes encounter her not only as a leader but also as a mentor — someone who listens, encourages, and helps them navigate the challenges and opportunities of college life. Over time, that investment has contributed to something larger than individual success stories. It has helped cultivate a culture.
Building Character and Community
“What we’ve been able to do at Bushnell within our athletic department is really special,” Freeman explains, pointing to the continuity of leadership she has shared with colleagues over the past 20 years. That long-standing collaboration has created what she describes as a “family feel,” allowing the department to build momentum year after year. “It’s pretty unique… not just for athletic departments, but for any department on a campus.”
That culture of care and character was recognized nationally when Bushnell received the NAIA School of Character Award for the 2024-2025 academic year. For Freeman, the recognition was deeply meaningful. “Seeing that culminate this last year… was probably the most rewarding feeling, knowing that the work that we’ve done with students for the past 20 years is really making a difference.”
Central to that work is her leadership in Bushnell’s Champions of Character initiatives, for which she helps guide athletes in the NAIA’s five core values: integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, and servant leadership. These principles are treated as daily practices that shape how students compete, lead, and engage their communities. Under Freeman’s oversight, teams collectively contribute thousands of hours of service each year, reinforcing the belief that athletics at Bushnell is not only about performance, but about forming individuals who lead with character and purpose.
Freeman also serves as Bushnell’s senior woman leader, a role that reflects her commitment to representation and leadership within collegiate athletics. In this capacity, she contributes to high-level decision-making while also providing a visible and accessible female presence for students and staff. Her influence extends beyond campus as well, including leadership roles within the Cascade Collegiate Conference and with the NAIA Athletic Compliance Administrators Association.
Walking with Students in Faith and Formation
Despite the breadth of her responsibilities, Freeman remains grounded in the everyday interactions that first drew her into this work.
“There’s a lot of hard days, but a lot of great days,” she shares. “Every day is different… and I absolutely love what I do.” That sense of purpose is sustained by the relationships she builds and the growth she witnesses in students over time. “Being able to partner with our student-athletes and walk with them through their journey in life is such a privilege and so rewarding.”
Outside of her role, Freeman reflects the same sense of curiosity and connection she brings to her work. She describes travel as her “love language,” noting that her favorite place in Eugene is the airport, “because it means I am traveling somewhere, a new adventure is beginning.” Whether exploring new places, attending sporting events with her family, or browsing local stores, she carries a spirit of enthusiasm that mirrors her approach to student life.
Freeman sees her journey not as a linear path, but as a calling discovered through her work with students. “I definitely think that it is true that you come to Bushnell and you find your calling,” she says. Through her leadership and daily investment in student-athletes, she advances Bushnell’s mission to develop individuals of purpose, service, and character, demonstrating that the most lasting impact of athletics is found in the relationships that shape students’ lives.
Want to learn more about being a student-athlete at Bushnell University? Explore Bushnell Athletics and connect with our athletics team to begin your journey.