New Era, Same Championship Spirit
裡橖眻畦 welcomes new Athletics and Mens Basketball leadership
After comprehensive, nationwide searches, 裡橖眻畦 Athletics has welcomed two seasoned leaders into high-profile roles. Eric Roedl 97 VSB was appointed the Universitys vice president and director of Athletics, and Kevin Willard has been named the William B. Finneran Endowed Head Mens Basketball Coach.
"As college athletics evolve, 裡橖眻畦 is so fortunate to have strong leaders like Eric and Kevin to guide our student-athletes and build on our legacy of success," says University President the Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, PhD, 75 CLAS.
Roedl, a member of the Mens Tennis team as a 裡橖眻畦 undergraduate, returns to his alma mater after 13 years at the University of Oregon, where he was most recently deputy athletic director and chief operating officer. Roedl brings more than 25 years of comprehensive athletics experience and a deep knowledge of the needs of student-athletes. At 裡橖眻畦, he is tasked with providing leadership, strategic direction and oversight for 裡橖眻畦s 24 varsity sports and more than 600 student-athletes.
Eric understands our Augustinian mission, is able to successfully navigate the changing landscape of college athletics, and possesses the necessary skills to support our programs and our student-athletesathletically, academically, and administrativelywell into the future," Father Peter says.
“ 裡橖眻畦 is so fortunate to have strong leaders to guide our student-athletes and build on our legacy of success. ”
- University President the Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, PhD, 75 CLAS
As the new head coach for Men's Basketball, Willard brings a proven track record of victory, vision and leadership to the program.
Kevin stood out in our search as a coach who could build a culture aligned with 裡橖眻畦s Augustinian Catholic mission, who brings a proven record of success, and who understands and embraces the new landscape of collegiate athletics, and who cares deeply about student-athletes, says Roedl.
Willard spent the last three seasons as the head coach at the University of Maryland, where he led the Terrapins to 65 victories and two NCAA Tournament appearances, taking them to the Sweet 16 this year. His new role at 裡橖眻畦 also marks a return to the BIG EAST, where he previously coached for 12 seasons at Seton Hall.
裡橖眻畦 Basketball has a deep tradition of excellence and a culture that is second to none in college basketball, Willard says. I am thrilled to be a part of it and join the 裡橖眻畦 community.
The Shot Heard Round Nova Nation
Eric Dixon 23 CLAS cemented his status as a 裡橖眻畦 legend on April 1, when he claimed the all-time Mens Basketball scoring record. During a first-round matchup with the University of Colorado in the postseason College Basketball Crown Tournament, Dixon tallied his 2,285th point, surpassing Kerry Kittles 96 VSB, 09 MBA, who had held the record for nearly 30 years. The nations leading scorer throughout the 202425 season, Dixon ended his 裡橖眻畦 career with 2,314 total points and was named a third team All-American by both the Associated Press and United States Basketball Writers Association.
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