Dawn Schueller's work ethic, which gained her a job as a volunteer for Auburn's gymnastics team, has also gained her a new position as the first Director of Gymnastics Operations.
"Part of the issue with gymnastics is we're a sport that it's a little difficult on the surface," said head coach Jeff Graba. "The fact that she's been involved in our sport in the past as a volunteer coach is what really made her the right choice."
Schueller's new job responsibilities will include serving as a contact between the coaches and athletic department administrators. She will also handle day-to-day responsibilities in the office, coordinate the gymnastics summer camp and assist with team budget, team travel, team meals and various other operational tasks.
"It doesn't help to hire someone who's tied down to a normal 9 to 5 job," Graba said. "You need to be able to go above and beyond to stay competitive, and she definitely brings that to the table."
"When Jeff asked me if I wanted to do that, I jumped at the chance," Schueller said. "They really needed some assistance with all of their office work and paperwork, so they would be able to put all of their time toward recruiting and taking care of the girls and not so much the office."
Schueller joined the team six seasons ago as the volunteer strength and conditioning coach.
"She's really done a lot of our conditioning and cardio workouts with the girls," said assistant coach Kurt Hettinger.
Hettinger believes because of Schueller's hard work ethic she will transition easily from one job to the other.
"She's a really tireless worker and she does a great job motivating the girls, and she did an excellent job conditioning our athletes for the past several years."
After Schueller was the volunteer strength and conditioning coach for three years, she spent the next three years as the volunteer coach of the team.
"If they give you the volunteer coach title, it just meant I could travel with them," Schueller said. "I didn't actually coach them in gymnastics. I just pretty much always did their conditioning and workout."
Schueller said her incredible work ethic started about a decade ago.
"I wanted to run a marathon," Schueller said. "And I picked up a book and started training. In return, when you're training for a marathon, you get in great shape."
Schueller said someone asked her how she got in great shape and, in turn, she was asked to help this person train for an upcoming marathon.
Schueller, who moved to Auburn eight years ago from Wisconsin, didn't stop working out when she arrived on the Plains. She said shortly after arriving, she decided to become certified to be a personal trainer.
Schueller said one day at the gym, then head coach Michelle Thompson, asked her if she would allow the gymnastics team to take part in a spin class that Schueller taught.
"Then I started working them out for free for volunteering," Schueller said. "I kept doing it year after year. It's was great to be part of the Auburn team."
From training herself to run a marathon 10 years ago to training the Auburn Tigers gymnastics team last year for what Graba said is the hardest conference in the country, Schueller said she loves to play a part in motivating others.
"I feel like I'm making a difference," Schueller said. "And I'm changing people's lives. When I see them sweating and not getting hurt, then I feel like I've done something right, and I feel rewarded."
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