EASTON, Pa. - Sarah Sadler has joined Lafayette Athletics as its new Director of Mental Performance and Leadership.
Prior to coming to College Hill, Sadler served as a graduate assistant at the West Virginia University's Carruth Center for Counseling and Psychological Services, working with students in health science programs to provide mental health support. Prior to that, she was a graduate teaching assistant within the university's Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology program from 2022-24. Sadler has worked with recreational and collegiate athletes and teams in a mental performance capacity since 2021.
"Sarah brings an impressive combination of academic experience, hands-on consulting, and a true passion for student-athlete well-being and performance," said Senior Assoc. A.D. Carly Riepenhoff, who led the hiring search. "Her ability to connect with our staff, deliver impactful mental performance strategies and champion leadership education made her an ideal fit for Lafayette Athletics. I can't wait to see the impact Sarah will make within our programs and across our community."
"The addition of our new Director of Mental Performance and Leadership marks a critical step in our ongoing commitment to the holistic development of our student-athletes," said Lafayette's Director of Athletics Sherryta Freeman. "At Lafayette, we believe that preparing student-athletes for success extends far beyond competition — it's about equipping them with the tools to thrive mentally, emotionally and as leaders in all areas of life. This role will help us build a culture where mental wellness, resilience and leadership are embedded into the student-athlete experience."
Sadler is working toward her doctoral degree in Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology and master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from West Virginia, which she will complete in December. Sadler's undergraduate studies took her to Michigan State, earning bachelor and master degrees in Kinesiology in 2020 and 2022, respectively.
Sadler is a certified mental performance consultant through the Association for Applied Sport Psychology. She and her husband, Tom, are both originally from the Grand Rapids, Mich. area.
