AIKENS STEPS DOWN AS NYACK SOFTBALL COACH; RODRIGUEZ NAMED INTERIM COACH
Courtesy of Jon Copeland, Nyack SID
NYACK, NY - On October 7, Mandy Aikens stepped down as Head Softball Coach of the Warrior Softball program to concentrate her efforts on her role as Compliance Officer. Aikens has been at the helm of the Warrior Softball Program since the end of the 2005 season when she took over the Head position from Alton Armoogam. Prior to her stint as Head Coach, Aikens was an assistant for two years under Armoogam.
This relief from coaching duties will allow Aikens to strengthen the athletic department's Academic Accountability Program, implement the CHAMPS life skills program and continue in her role as the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Advisor. All three of these programs are central to the Compliance Department and fulfilling Nyack's commitments as an NCAA Division II institution.
Nyack Director of Athletics Keith Davie stated, "We appreciate the investment that Mandy has made in both the program and the lives of the players. As the athletic department has developed with our transition to being an NCAA program, the role of the compliance officer warrants someone who can focus completely on insuring that NCAA expectations are met. At the same time, we are committed to providing our Women's Softball Program with a coach who can focus on making it a competitive and potentially championship caliber team."
Joe Rodriguez, who has been an assistant with the program since 2004, has been named Interim Head Coach of the Women's Softball Program for the 2008-2009 season. Rodriguez's knowledge and experience will provide the program with an experienced softball mind that is also familiar with the players and program.