Principia Athletics Announces Key Personnel Changes
ELSAH, Ill. - Principia College Director of Athletics Lee Ellis has recently announced several personnel changes to the staff of the Principia College Athletic department. "These changes are part of a reorganization initiative to more effectively manage the athletic department as we move into the execution stages of our recently completed strategic plan," stated Ellis.
Head baseball coach Pete Paciorek has been promoted to Assistant Athletic Director for NCAA Compliance with continued responsibilities for the baseball program and Scholastic Committee. Former Compliance Coordinator and head tennis coach Casey Reynolds will take on the role of PE Chair. He will also continue in his role on the Curriculum Committee and as Hexburg Tennis Center Director. With the recent hire of SID James King, Associate Athletic Director/SWA and head volleyball coach Mary Ann Sprague will have direct oversight for all elements of sports information, the website, marketing and public relations. This includes continuing SID roles for men's soccer coach Vitalis Otieno and men's basketball coach David Patterson. Sprague will continue to supervise the graduate assistant (GA) program and serve on Faculty Council. Brian Gavaletz, Event and Facility Manager will continue his responsibilities for event management and facility scheduling but will devote a greater focus on expanding business development through the Gold and Blue Athletic Club, facility rentals, sports camps, and our multisport community initiatives.
In other athletic staff news, Shannon Carney was recently hired as head women's tennis coach. New head women's basketball coach Sarah Jarvis will give up her assistant coaching duties with the cross country team but continue as an assistant for track and field. Recent graduate Kateland Oakes will fill Jarvis' former role with cross-country. Colie Bushong and Thomas Cowart will assist Jarvis with basketball. Jess Semnacher returns to the men's soccer program as assistant coach for another year and will be joined by Wes Fleming, a 2009 All-region player for Principia. Matt Munhall and Meagan Fleming will return as assistant coaches to the women's soccer program. In volleyball, Sara McDaniel and Hannah Richards have signed on as assistants. Assistant coach Peter Clifford has again joined the swimming program, and Eric Phillips will again be the diving coach. Head cross country coach Chuck Wilcoxen will continue in his role as chair of the NCAA track and cross country committees, and Philip Green will continue as an assistant in cross country and track and field. Gabe McManus and Jonathan Daugherty will serve as assistants in baseball and softball respectively. Geoff Hinchman will assist in track and field. In rugby, Nick Johnson will continue for another season.
"I strongly believe our people and the qualities they bring to the work we do, have direct implications on our ability to deliver an outstanding experience for our student-athletes," continued Ellis. "I feel we have some great people on staff, so I am very excited about the changes we've made to ensure that the success we've achieved continues."