June 1, 2004
Norfolk - Deborah Polca, senior associate athletic director at Eastern Illinois University, has been named an Associate Athletic Director and Senior Woman Administrator at Old Dominion University, as announced today by Athletic Director Jim Jarrett.
"Among Deb's responsibilities will be working directly with all of our head coaches regarding the oversight and coordination of student-athlete support services, which include the areas of NCAA compliance, life skills, strength and conditioning programs and sports medicine. She will also have direct oversight for all sports and head coaches except for men's and women's basketball,'" says Jarrett.
"Deb brings a wealth of knowledge to our program that includes over 25 years of intercollegiate athletic administrative experience and national recognition", says Jarrett. "We are delighted to have her join the staff and look forward to her playing a vital role in the future of our program."
During her nine-year tenure at Eastern Illinois, Polca supervised the day-to-day responsibilities of the internal operation of the athletic department. She is a current member of the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Issues Committee and was a member of the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Committee from 1997-2001. Prior to her stint at Eastern Illinois, Polca served in several capacities at St. Franics College (Loretto, PA), including head women's basketball coach and assistant athletic director from 1983-1991, and associate athletic director from 1991-1995.
"I am most excited about the opportunity that has been afforded me," says Polca. "People nationally have such great respect for the ODU program, but the most exciting part for me is that I can utilize my varied experiences for an athletic department and for student athletes that compete on a national level, working with a national level staff, and in a community that embraces the University's athletic teams as an enhancement to the quality of life in Hampton Roads."
Polca earned a bachelor of science degree in health and physical education from Slippery Rock State College and a master of education from Ohio University. She was an assistant professor, instructor and head women's basketball coach at Bridgeport Arnold College from 1977-1983.
Polca replaces Dr. Mikki Baile, who is retiring after 30 years at Old Dominion as the senior associate athletic director.
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