Please support the Women’s Empowerment Fund When Shai Twell first stepped onto Campbell University’s campus, she immediately knew this was where she wanted to pursue her athletic and academic career.
Little did she know that six years later she’d be in a position to pursue not one, not two, but three paths in her post-graduate career.
“When I arrived on campus, I felt like I’d moved my home from Hampton,” said Twell, who is originally from Carter County, a small unincorporated area (population 2,030) in northeast Tennessee that borders North Carolina. “I was drawn to Campbell’s close-knit community. It feels like home.”
The generosity of Fighting Camel fans, alumni, family and friends truly makes a difference in the lives of Campbell University student-athletes. The Fighting Camel Club’s goal is to make that experience even more amazing, especially for female student-athletes, through our newly established Women’s Empowerment Fund. To join the Fighting Camel Club, click here.
Tuel not only brings to the table her experience at Campbell University, where she ranked eighth on the women’s basketball all-time scoring list and was named the 2023-24 CAA Women’s Basketball Scholar-Athlete of the Year, but also earned two bachelor’s degrees in addition to her MBA.
The COVID-19 pandemic and a year spent on the sidelines due to injury not only extended Tuel’s career to the second-most games played (151) in program history, but also allowed him to juggle his interests in sports and the world of finance with his dream of becoming a professional basketball player.
After pursuing a professional career, Tuel hopes to one day run his own AAU basketball program that blends sports management with his business training.
Since arriving at Buies Creek, Tuel has led the Camels to a 116-65 (.641) record and 71-36 (.664) record in conference play. Additionally, throughout her career, Campbell has won two Big South regular season titles, finished as tournament runner-up three times and led the program to the program’s first appearance in the Women’s NIT (2022).
Initially, Tuell planned to pursue a career as a physical therapist, but she soon realized her interests lay elsewhere.
“I realized I liked numbers, so I switched to accounting and sports management,” Tuell said.
The all-conference shooting guard not only understood numbers in the classroom, she also took them on the court, scoring 1,430 points in her career and setting school records for 3-point field goals made in a season (80) and career (301).
Like many athletes, Tuel likes to keep busy: Not only did she complete two undergraduate programs, but she also found time to serve as an intern in athletics administration under the tutelage of former student-athletes Shelby Denkert and Taryn Phillips.
Tuel averaged 10.2 points in her final season and ranked second among Coastal Athletic Association players in 3-point shooting percentage (2.58) per game during the 2023-24 season. In addition to a more extensive travel schedule while competing in the CAA, she also found time to work for the accounting firm Bernard, Robinson & Company in Dunn.
Tuel lists his two regular season wins and his buzzer-beater, game-winning layup at Presbyterian College, ranked No. 4 in the Jan. 15, 2021 ESPN SportsCenter Top 10, as some of his best memories.
But Tuel admits it’s the time he spent with his teammates that will remain his most enduring memory.
Looking back, Twell didn’t realize the opportunities he would enjoy over the years at Campbell.
“I kind of knew what it was like to be a college athlete. I knew I’d play basketball and get a degree, but I never really expected that I’d win two championships, graduate with two degrees and an MBA and make all the relationships and connections I’ve made here,” Tuel said. “I’m a shy person, but being here has really opened my mind and opened up my personality.”
She is also grateful that the scholarship not only gave her the opportunity to pursue her academic and athletic goals, but also benefited her financially.Earlier this year, the Fighting Camel Club announced its commitment to supporting student-athlete scholarships.
“Having this experience and being able to graduate from college debt-free means so much to me and my family is so grateful,” she said.
Along the way, she made lifelong friends and acquaintances and was fully embraced by the Campbell and Buies Creek communities.
“The best part was seeing my professors cheering me on at the games,” Twell said. “They would stop me after games or during class and say, ‘Good luck tonight,’ or ‘Here we go,’ and then when I saw them in the stands, it felt like a family and I knew they all wanted me to succeed.”
Currently, Tuell is a member of the Campbell University Women’s Basketball Alumni Association, a close-knit community that has supported the program for many years. Tuell is also grateful to be a part of the dedication of Wanda Watkins Court at Gore Arena on Nov. 18, 2023, where she will pay tribute to the CU Hall of Fame player.
“I don’t think the court should be named after anyone other than (Wanda Watkins),” Tuel said, “What she’s done for this campus, this athletic department and women’s basketball in general is incredible, and it was great to be able to show in front of all the former players who were there that day how this program has grown because of her.”
Looking back, Twell’s original feelings about the campus and community have proven to be absolutely correct.
“Campbell is an amazing place,” she says. “I think anyone who comes here and gives it a chance is going to love it, because I did.”
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