director of Athletics
Dr. William S. Husak
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uiding LMU to some of its most prolific and successful years in its 100-plus year history, Dr. William S. Husak has led the LMU Athletics Department for the last 15 years, hired as Director of Intercollegiate Athletics in 1998. As Director of Athletics, Husak is constantly focused on his mission of winning championships, achieving success in the classroom through graduating all student-athletes in four years and helping them grow as individuals as they move on to the next stages of their life. Since 1998, LMU has seen its most overall success in school history as the Lions have won over 58 percent of its dual competitions in that span and claimed 31 of its overall 44 conference championships (among sports currently sponsored by LMU within NCAA Division I competition) and 41 of its 63 NCAA postseason appearances. Off the field, the Lions continue to rank among the best in the West Coast Conference and in the west in the NCAA’s APR and Graduation Rate, and in 2011-12, 194 student-athletes claimed the National Academic Honors. In 2011-12, the program continued to add to its history with: • Women’s water polo earning its ninth conference title in 11 years. • Casey Flacks of women's water polo becoming the first female athlete in LMU history to earn All-American honors all four seasons as a Lion. • Tara Erdmann added two more All-American honors, giving her seven over her illustrious career. • Edgaras Asajavicius was awarded a prestigious NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship in the Fall of 2011 • Former men's volleyball players Reid Priddy and Paul Sunderland headed to the London Olympics to represent
88 • LMU VOLLEYBALL MEDIA ALMANAC
Team USA in varying roles. Priddy competed in his third Olympics, while Sunderland, who also played basketball at LMU, served as a broadcast commentator. • Men's basketball posting its first postseason victory since 1989-90. • Head baseball coach Jason Gill and catcher Colton Plaia served on the USA Collegiate National Team, while softball star Sam Fischer, who finished her career as LMU's triple crown leader in career categories, earned a spot and turned heads playing for the USA National Team. Husak attributes the success that has come on the field and classroom from the commitment to athletics from the University as a whole and people within it. “It is people that make up this University and this Athletics Department so special,” said Husak. “It is everyone as a team that makes us successful. It is everyone here at LMU that allows us to have the success and growth we have seen the last 14 years. It is all about the people. It is why LMU is a very special place.” Since he took over the program, the coaching and administrative staffs that lend support to the more than 450 studentathletes has more than doubled in size with the addition of assistant coaches, support staff and the transition from parttime to full-time coaches. A full-time head coach will lead 19 of the varsity sports sponsored at LMU. When Husak took over, only nine of the programs were led by full-time head coach. In addition, support for the student-athletes was enhanced with the addition of 14 brand new staff positions since 2000, which included two athletic academic support staff members, marketing/promotions manager, ticket manager, corporate relations manager, three assistant athletic trainers, two