Saint Mary's names new athletic director
By MOLLY McVOY
This year in Saint Mary's athletics, it seems that the only constant is change.
Adding to the list of changes this year at Saint Mary's, Lynn Kachmarik began on Thursday as the Belles' new athletic director.
She takes over for Jan Travis, who left the position at the end of last year. Jini Cook, former assistant athletic director, has been acting athletic director in the interim and was instrumental in the hiring process.
"What sold me on her, and what made her standout, was her personality," Cook said. "I feel comfortable leaving now. I know Saint Mary's is in good hands and I won't have to worry."
Kachmarik was hired on August 30th from a pool of more than 20 applicants. She comes from Bucknell University where she served as assistant athletic director for two years. Bucknell is a Division I university where she was also the head coach of women's swimming for 17 years and student liaison for female athletes.
Kachmarik graduated from Slippery Rock University with a degree in education in 1979. She then went on to get her master's degree in education from Slippery Rock with a concentration in the physiology of exercise in 1980.
Cook said she believes that it is more than these credentials which makes Kachmarik a fit for Saint Mary's.
"Her communication skills are impressive," Cook said. "I feel she will work well with the administration and she will be comfortable with the student athletes. She's very approachable."
Kachmarik will be responsible for hiring the new assistant director, as Cook is leaving Saint Mary's with the hopes of acquiring a position at the University of Illinois in campus recreation. The Belles are also in need of a head swim coach, who Kachmarik will be in charge of hiring.
Kachmarik enters Saint Mary's in the midst of many other changes, including Performa, admission into the MIAA and a host of new head coaches. Kachmarik was very innovative at Bucknell University, which administrators feel will serve her well at Saint Mary's.
All News Stories for Friday, September 3, 1999
