Featured Hawks: Spotlight on Staff
July Featured Staff Spotlight: Sherry Lewis, Women's Flag Football/Cross Country
Every Monday through Thursday for the month of July, Chowan Athletics will spotlight select student-athletes and coaches in a series called Featured Hawks. This series highlights Hawks who exemplify excellence in the classroom, in competition, and within the Chowan community. Student-athletes were selected based on their academic achievement, athletic performance, leadership, character, and overall standing with the university. Coaches have the opportunity to share their coaching journey, discuss their programs, and provide insight about their vision for the future.
Fans will learn more about the individual experiences and stories of our student-athletes and coaches at Chowan. Beginning in August, Fridays will transition to Feature Fridays, continuing the spotlight series by highlighting one individual throughout the school year each week.
If you would like to be a part of the Featured Hawks as a current or former student-athlete or staff member, email gocuhawks@chowan.edu today!
July 14th, 2026
Today's Featured Hawk is Head Flag Football and Cross Country Coach, Sherry Lewis. Coach Lewis is in her first season as the head coach but is no stranger to Chowan.Coach Lewis graduated from Chowan in 2014 with a degree in SSPE while having been a part of two sports programs (women's bowling and women's lacrosse). Coach Lewis led the CU women's flag football team in its inaugural season this past spring. An interesting fact about Coach Lewis is that she has been a part of three inaugural programs at Chowan: two as a student-athlete and one as the coach. She is also an active member of the United States Army Reserve and continues to serve the country in her 14th year as active duty.
Get to know a little more about Coach Lewis as Tuesday's Featured Hawk, spotlighting our amazing CU Athletics Staff. Catch the full Featured Hawks Podcast on the official youtube channel of the Hawks, @ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKVpLqwQN4MqNY4VEsI3PjQ
You have lived several different lives it seems since you graduated from Chowan in 2014. Can you tell us a little bit about the road that has led you back to Chowan?
It is a lot of lives! I am from the Petersburg and Dinwiddie area of Virginia. Once I graduated from Chowan, I went back home, enrolled in graduate school at Virginia State University and joined the US Army Reserve. Through the military, I have traveled the world, and been in and out of the country several times. I also got to get involved with tackle and flag football as a player during my years with the military. All of these experiences kind of fell together, and here I am, back here at Chowan.
You have been a part of three inaugural seasons here at Chowan. Two of them as a student-athlete and one as a head coach. What does that mean to you to be a part of that?
It's definitely a full circle moment being able to come back to my alma mater to be a part of starting a new program, this time from the coaches side of things. I didn't realize this but my friends pointed this out to me recently. I've been doing this my whole life. At Richard Bland Community College, I actually started the women's basketball program. It was very grassroots, from recruiting players on campus to actually fielding a team.
You are a part of the United States Army Reserve and served overseas on several tours. What has been your favorite tour?
Italy. I've been to Southern France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Africa. But it's Italy. From there I was able to branch out to see the country. The food and just the culture. In many places the towns shut down for lunch, everyone goes home for a nap, and then everything opens back up later in the afternoon. I had a favorite restaurant that served the best mussels I've ever had. If I ever get a chance to go back, that restaurant would be my first stop.
You are a part of the fastest growing women's sport in the college ranks right now. What does that mean to you?
I think it's great for Chowan and I am excited to be a part of it. It has put Chowan and Conference Carolinas in the national eye. More people are learning about our school, clicking on our website and socials, all because of a sport that is growing all over the country. It's really nice to be in this space right now.
You are a part of the Soldiers to Sidelines movement and were recently named a Women's Sport Foundation Pioli Family Scholarship winner. Those are both big deals and also help put you and Chowan in the spotlight.
If there is an opportunity for me to grow, I am going to take it. It's all about getting out there, making a name for yourself, and creating a network. I am making connections in the NFL and learning there, which is great because I can call an assistant coach from the Bengals or the Jets or Seahawks and just ask questions. Whatever I am learning there and from others I bring straight back here to Chowan and the student-athletes. From that aspect, it's been great.
