Two athletic directors were promoted to new roles.
Kelly Perry and Greg Kersgieter received promotions in September.
Perry was promoted to Kersgieter’s former title, associate athletic director, but with different responsibilities. Her role is to ensure athletes are in line with the policies of the university, student athletic conference and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.
Perry consults with students about academic issues, files grade reports and focuses on improving student retention.
“It’s just more intimate with the academic piece and the advisement piece,” she said. “It’s always good, with as big of a group as we have, to have somebody that they know is looking out for their best interest academically as well as athletically.”
Kersgieter was promoted to senior associate athletic director and head trainer, a role that facilitates athletic programs by overseeing coaches, managing budgets, keeping in touch with university maintenance, managing the athletic department buses, and scheduling events.
Kersgieter said the promotion doesn’t alter his day-to-day life much, but it serves as an acknowledgement of his 14 years of service.
“I’ve been at it a long time,” he said. “I’m glad to get the recognition from my superior, and I look forward to taking on some new responsibilities.”
Kersgieter and Perry share oversight of the athletic programs with each other and Athletic Director Jim Abbott.
Abbott said he chose to promote them because of their attitudes.
“They both make us better,” he said. “Those two people show up every day looking for who it is that they can help and serve, and, to me, great leaders are servants first. Any coach or student that exists in the athletic department benefits in some way from the efforts that Kelly and Greg put in daily.”
Senior Catcher Joe Lytle said the athletics program is a success because Kersgieter and Perry work hard to inspire greatness.
“We’re a winning program. We have 66 national championships,” Lytle said.
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