WSSU Athletics announces staffing changes
August 4, 2005
Winston-Salem, NC – Winston-Salem State University has
added, or restructured, eight positions within the Department
of Athletics that were set to begin on August 1, 2005.
Sports Information Director Chris Zona has accepted a new
position as the Assistant Athletic Director for Marketing and
Promotions. Zona, who is just finishing his third year as the
head of the Sports Information Department will continue to
run the day-to-day operations of the office, but
will have additional duties in the marketing sector.
Athletics
Director Chico Caldwell has charged Zona with helping to
improve the community-based, and national marketing campaigns
surrounding Winston-Salem State University’s
athletic programs.
Zona will work closely with the WSSU Office of Marketing and
Communications to continue the newly adopted University branding
campaign. He will focus on community relations, fundraising,
advertising, soft-goods sales, licensing, and nation-wide marketing.
In addition to those extra responsibilities, Zona will continue
to oversee the Office of Sports Information and will continue
to serve as the primary contact for all of WSSU’s 12
varsity athletic teams. He will continue to produce all marketing
materials put out by the WSSU Department of Athletics, and
will continue to serve as the media’s point of contact
for any inquiries into WSSU Athletics.
Joining Zona in the Office of Marketing and Promotions, as
well as in the Office of Sports Information is Lori Dobbins.
Dobbins, who enters into her second year as a member of the
WSSU Department of Athletics will continue to serve as the
cheerleading advisor, but will see increased duties in the
marketing and promotions sector as she has been named the Assistant
Director of Marketing and Promotions.
Dobbins will work closely with Zona, in helping to publicize
and market all of WSSU’s athletic programs. She recently
earned her Master’s Degree in Marketing from High Point
University. She will be charged primarily with fundraising
and promotions as well as sponsor development. Dobbins, who
earned her baccalaureate degree from WSSU, is no stranger to
Ram athletics as she has been involved in the WSSU Athletic
Department since her days as an undergraduate.
Zona and Dobbins were not the only additions to the WSSU Athletic
Department as officials have confirmed that Charlie Schoderbek
will take over as the head men’s and women’s tennis
coach starting in the fall of 2005.
Schoderbek, who is already a full-time employee of the University,
serves as the WSSU Aquatics Director. His charge is the maintenance,
and day-to-day operations of WSSU’s eight-lane Olympic-size
swimming pool and diving well. Schoderbek is a natural fit
at the head of the tennis programs as he is a certified tennis
instructor with over 15 years of experience. He served as a
volunteer assistant coach to the tennis teams for the last
two years.
Joining Schoderbek in the coaching ranks is Tyrone Scales
who will take over the nationally-ranked WSSU women’s
bowling program. Scales, who has served as the Lady Rams’ assistant
coach since the program’s inception four short years
ago, is a professional bowler with over 25 years experience
on the lanes.
Bowling and tennis are not the only programs that are benefiting
from increased and improved staff as the WSSU football program
has bolstered its coaching staff.
Head Coach Kermit Blount has added the services of Cody Crill,
Keith Gaither, Joshua McGee, and Phil Cole to the football
program. Cole will serve as the Rams’ receivers coach
coming to WSSU by way of the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff.
McGee, a former WSSU quarterback who is atop all but two of
the Rams’ all-time passing records, will step in immediately
as the quarterbacks coach. Gaither, who comes to WSSU from
Elon College will coach the safeties and “spurs” in
the new WSSU 3-5-3 defensive package. Crill will coach the
centers and guards as he helps to try to prepare the Rams for
the upcoming 2005 football season.
The eight additions to the WSSU Athletic Department in one
calendar year mark the largest increase in staffing that the
WSSU Athletic Department has seen in the Dr. Chico Caldwell
era. Plans for additional staff are already in the works in
addition to plans for over $20 million in facilities renovations
and upgrades as the program transitions to NCAA Division I
status.
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