HOUSTON, TEXAS (mAY 28, 2009) Houston Baptist University Head Basketball Coach and Athletic Director Ron Cottrell will be moving into a new role as associate athletic director, allowing him to focus more time on his role as head basketball coach, President Robert B. Sloan announced today. Associate Athletic Director Steve Moniaci will serve as interim athletic director.
According to Sloan, the move makes sense with the University’s move back into NCAA Division I athletics. “For three years, Ron Cottrell and I together planned for HBU’s entrance into NCAA Division I. As both Athletic Director and Head Men’s Basketball Coach Ron has given exceptional leadership in the initiation of this process and the completion of the first major step. He and I have often discussed the fact that he would eventually serve as either Athletic Director or Head Men’s Basketball Coach, given the huge responsibility of NCAA membership and now our membership in the Division I Great West Conference.
“Ron has recently indicated his desire to relinquish the role of Athletic Director and, of course, retain his role as the Head Men’s Basketball Coach. He has done an amazing job in carrying both responsibilities, and the entire HBU family owes him a huge debt of gratitude. But Ron’s first love is still coaching, and his nation-wide success as NAIA Coach and now NCAA bears witness to that fact.”
Sloan also remarked on the importance of the experiences Moniaci brings to the University in making the transition possible. “We are fortunate to have had Steve Moniaci as Associate Athletic Director for more than two years. Steve has been an integral partner with Ron during HBU’s transition to the NCAA, and brings great experience to the role of AD. These two colleagues will continue to play a significant role as HBU moves toward full membership in NCAA Division I.”
Moniaci joined HBU after 26 years of service in the athletic department at Rice University. He began his tenure at Rice as the executive director of the Owl Club and director of athletic promotions. He was named assistant athletic director in charge of operations in 1985, associate athletic director in 1997, and in 2001 he was named senior associate athletic director, a position he held until 2006.
Cottrell is beginning his 19th season as head basketball coach for the Huskies with a career record of 379-208. After years as a perennial NAIA Division I power, the Huskies played their first NCAA Division I schedule during the 2008-2009 season as they joined the Great West Conference. Cottrell had served as athletic director for 15 years.
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