Ursuline College Athletics is entering an exciting period of growth, with staffing changes and two new athletic programs expanding the opportunities for student athletes and building a new chapter on the Arrows' athletic tradition.
The first major change came with the hiring of Claire Bressler as the Sports Information Director. Bressler comes to Ursuline from William Penn University, an Iowa NAIA school, where she served as an Athletic Communication Graduate Assistant.
"We are thrilled to announce Bressler as our new Sports Information Director," said Athletic Director Cindy McKnight. "With her background in social media, storytelling, and marketing, we are excited to see how Athletics can grow."
The hiring of Bet Naumovski as the new Head Women's Basketball Coach came next. Naumovski brings extensive NCAA coaching experience and a proven record of building successful programs to Ursuline.
Before joining the Arrows, Naumovski led the Queens College women's basketball program through a nationally ranked turnaround during her first two seasons and established the Knights as one of the top programs in the East Coast Conference (ECC). During her tenure, she guided Queens to four consecutive 20-win seasons, three NCAA Tournament appearances in 2015, 2016 and 2017, two ECC Championships and the 2017 ECC regular-season championship.
Her arrival gives Ursuline women's basketball an experienced leader as the program looks to build on its own tradition of success.
"We are extremely excited to welcome Bet to the Arrows family and watch her continue to strengthen the foundation of basketball and build on the legacy that Ursuline has established," said McKnight.
The changes continued with the addition of men's bowling to Ursuline's athletic offerings. The new program will have an opportunity to build on the foundation established by Ursuline's women's bowling program, creating another avenue for student-athletes to compete as Arrows.
With the addition of men's bowling, Head Women's Bowling Coach Bryon Tobin is set to lead the new program as well.
"Ursuline is excited for the growth of bowling on campus, and we are more than confident in Coach Tobin's vision for both programs in the coming years," McKnight said.
On Monday, Ursuline Athletics announced another significant addition: men's basketball.
The launch of men's basketball marks a new chapter for Ursuline Athletics and provides an opportunity to create a program from the ground up. While the men's program will be new, it will have the foundation of women's basketball to build from. Ursuline's women's basketball program has a history of competition and success that can provide valuable experience as the department develops the new program.
The national search for a men's basketball coach has begun.
"Both sports provide an opportunity to build something from the ground up while drawing on the knowledge and traditions that already exist within our department," McKnight said. "We have an opportunity to take what we've learned, build on the successes of our existing programs and create new opportunities for student-athletes to become part of the Arrows tradition."
With staffing changes and two new athletic offerings, Ursuline Athletics is looking forward to the continued growth. The additions expand the opportunities available to student-athletes while Athletics will continue to build an identity of diversity and excellence.
"All of these changes make this an especially exciting time for growth and change within Ursuline Athletics," McKnight said. "We are excited to see where these new opportunities take the Arrows and how they will help shape the future of Ursuline Athletics."
