08/17/2026
It is with heavy hearts and immense respect that we honor the life and legacy of former Norwich Free Academy teacher, coach, and campus pioneer, Sarah Jane Shearer.
Sarah Jane Shearer's contributions to Norwich Free Academy go far beyond the profound athletic success her teams experienced under her guidance. She paved the way for generations of NFA athletes and played a critical role in establishing women's sports on campus. Shearer founded an extensive intramural program for girls before establishing the first varsity-level girls' programs at NFA in 1972.
Shearer's impact reached far beyond our campus. She was inducted into multiple local athletic halls of fame, including the Norwich Free Academy Athletic Hall of Fame in 2001, a lasting testament to the doors she opened and the lives she shaped.