ACADEMICS Athletic excellence is one-half the formula for success in the collegiate experience for University of New Hampshire swimmers. The primary measure of achievement is the student-athlete’s success in the classroom. For the 1998-99 and 1999-2000 academic years, UNH was awarded the America East Academic Cup for recording the highest GPA in the conference. In both the Fall 2004 and Winter/Spring 2005 semesters, UNH placed the highest number of student-athletes on the America East Honor Roll; the University accomplished the feat again in Fall ‘06, Fall ‘09, Fall ‘11 and Fall ‘12. New Hampshire also boasts one of the top graduation rates in the country. UNH is dedicated to enhancing the student-athlete’s ability to achieve academic excellence. Realizing the time commitment the student-athletes give to the school, the University Joanne Maldari administers a comprehensive program of academic support services that is available to all student-athletes. This program includes the monitoring of academic progress and providing tutorial services, as well as interacting with the academic advisors within the various colleges.
Carly Barbato
BrandonThomas
Serving as Student-Athlete Support Coordinator is Assistant Athletic for Academic Support Director Joanne Maldari, a 1990 graduate of Holy Cross who went on to earn her master’s degree in Athletic Counseling at Springfield College. She was recognized for her outstanding efforts at UNH by receiving the University’s 2001 Academic Advising Award. Before coming to Durham, Maldari served athletic counseling internships at Springfield and Central Connecticut State University. Carly Barbato was appointed as the Coordinator of Student-Athlete Academic Support during the Fall of 2013. Earning her Bachelor of Science in Biology with a minor of Exercise Science at St. Lawrence University in 2007, she was a four-year letterwinner as a goalkeeper, earning Liberty League Honorable Mention in her final two seasons. Additionally, she was named a co-captain in her senior season. Barbato also earned her Master of Arts in Educational Leadership at Loyola University of Maryland in 2009 while working as a graduate assistant coach for the women’s soccer team. At UNH, she will provide comprehensive support services to student-athletes, mentoring, counseling, and proactive monitoring. Furthermore, she will tutor and meet one-on-one with academically “at risk” student-athletes. Barbato will serve as a liaison between prospective studentathletes and families during the recruiting process regarding the academic services UNH offers. Before her current position, she served as an assistant coach for women’s soccer team at UNH as well an academic center supervisor and tutor. In the dual role, accoladesincluded: CoSIDA Capital One All-Academic All America District 1 First Team (2012), America East All-Academic Team (2012), America East Commissioner’s Honor Roll (2010) and Defensive Most Valuable Player (2010). Furthermore, the women’s soccer team cumulative grade point average never fell below a 3.0 during her tenure as assistant coach. Brandon Thomas was appointed as an academic coordinator during August of 2013. He is a two-time graduate from Winthrop University earning a Bachelor’s of Arts in English (2010) and a Master’s of Science in Sport & Fitness Administration (2012). Before coming to New Hampshire, Thomas worked in the athletic departments at the University of North Dakota and Belmont Abbey College.
STUDENT-ATHLETE DEVELOPMENT
Cathleen “Cathy” Coakley enters her sixth year as director of Student Athlete Development at the University of New Hampshire. Coakley oversees a comprehensive educational program designed to enhance the personal/ professional development and welfare of UNH student athletes. The many areas of student athlete development include first year (Freshmen, transfer) behavioral education, Sophomore to Senior leadership and life skill development, community service projects and advising SAAC (Student Athlete Advisory Committee), the leadership group comprised of members from all 18 athletic teams. In addition, she has established and continues to expand networks and liaison relationships with other departments, organizations and resources across campus. Coakley has an extensive career in college athletics and higher education. Prior to her return to UNH, she was an instructor of Sport Marketing in the Kinesiology Department at James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA. Her curriculum included personal development, life skills, professional/ career skill inventory and assessment. She coordinated all practicums and internships required of Sport Management majors. While at JMU she served as Assistant Field Hockey Coach (2005- 2007) helping to rebuild the program and guiding the Dukes to a CAA Conference championship and NCAA appearance in 2007.
Cathy Coakley
Prior to her tenure at JMU, Coakley was a college basketball coach. She started her collegiate career at UNH as an assistant coach, then moved on to become the Head Coach at Fordham University in New York City. After spending several years in corporate business, Coakley returned to college basketball as an assistant coach at Northeastern University in Boston. During her years at Northeastern, the Huskies won the America East Conference championship, advancing to the NCAA tournament. Coakley is a UNH graduate, earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Earth Science and her Master’s Degree in Educational Administration.
ATHLETIC ADMINISTRATION
Steve Metcalf Deputy Athletic Director
@UNHHOOPS
Dot Sheehan Sr. Associate Athletic Director for External Relations
Michelle Bronner Sr. Associate Athletic Director for Compliance/ SWA
Donna Brownell Sr. Associate Athletic Director for Finance
Carrie Kimball Associate Athletic Director for Events Management
Amber Lilyestrom Associate Athletic Director for Marketing & Communications
Nicole Richard Assistant Athletic Director for Ticketing
Kate McAfee Assistant Athletic Director for Event Management
15