2008 Woodie Awards
Assistant AD permanently hired
By Mike Mallory
Rocket Editor-in-Chief
Issue date: 1/20/06 Section: Sports
One interim employee at Slippery Rock University has been named to a permanent position.
Stephen Roach, who served as the interim assistant to athletic director Paul Lueken for the past six months, has secured the assistant position on a full-time basis.
Roach was appointed to the interim position in July after former assistant Jeff Michaels departed to become the associate athletic director at Shippensburg University.
Roach earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in criminology from IUP in 2001 and a Master of Science degree in sport management from SRU in 2005. Prior to working for SRU, Roach served as an intern at North Allegheny High School and as a graduate assistant at SRU.
Roach, who has been a member of the Rock for the past two years through graduate study and the athletic department, said it's exciting to continue employment with the university.
"I really like working with the student-athletes and coaches," Roach said. "This is a great atmosphere to work with."
While admitting to nervousness throughout the waiting period, Roach said he feels now that he has been selected, he intends to bring a strong work ethic and the ability to get the job done correctly.
"During the six-month evaluation, I put some pressure on myself to do as good as I could," Roach said. "I'm here for the student athletes and trying to get things done right for them."
The hiring process included a nationwide search. Advertisement for the vacant position was posted over the Internet on the NCAA website, and sent to a number of schools who may have had interested alumni.
Lueken said four potential candidates were offered interviews on campus. Three of them showed up for their scheduled appointments. After careful evaluation, he said Roach was the best choice for the job.
"We felt Steve brought the most to the table," Lueken said. "He brings everything we're looking for. It was a quality field and Steve rose to the top."
Lueken said Roach's experience includes coordinating athletic events as well as a solid knowledge of NCAA compliance rules, which is one of Roach's main objectives for the department.
"My main goal is to run a strong compliance program," Roach said. "I want to provide the best possible experience for our student athletes."
Lueken said it is most important that Roach performs his duties in a positive manner.
"It's not a typical 9-5 job," Lueken said. "When football season started, he was working six to seven days per week. He proved that he could do it."
Roach said his relationship with Lueken has been a positive experience.
"He has given me a great opportunity to gain experience that would be otherwise be difficult," Roach said. "He's just been great to me."
Stephen Roach, who served as the interim assistant to athletic director Paul Lueken for the past six months, has secured the assistant position on a full-time basis.
Roach was appointed to the interim position in July after former assistant Jeff Michaels departed to become the associate athletic director at Shippensburg University.
Roach earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in criminology from IUP in 2001 and a Master of Science degree in sport management from SRU in 2005. Prior to working for SRU, Roach served as an intern at North Allegheny High School and as a graduate assistant at SRU.
Roach, who has been a member of the Rock for the past two years through graduate study and the athletic department, said it's exciting to continue employment with the university.
"I really like working with the student-athletes and coaches," Roach said. "This is a great atmosphere to work with."
While admitting to nervousness throughout the waiting period, Roach said he feels now that he has been selected, he intends to bring a strong work ethic and the ability to get the job done correctly.
"During the six-month evaluation, I put some pressure on myself to do as good as I could," Roach said. "I'm here for the student athletes and trying to get things done right for them."
The hiring process included a nationwide search. Advertisement for the vacant position was posted over the Internet on the NCAA website, and sent to a number of schools who may have had interested alumni.
Lueken said four potential candidates were offered interviews on campus. Three of them showed up for their scheduled appointments. After careful evaluation, he said Roach was the best choice for the job.
"We felt Steve brought the most to the table," Lueken said. "He brings everything we're looking for. It was a quality field and Steve rose to the top."
Lueken said Roach's experience includes coordinating athletic events as well as a solid knowledge of NCAA compliance rules, which is one of Roach's main objectives for the department.
"My main goal is to run a strong compliance program," Roach said. "I want to provide the best possible experience for our student athletes."
Lueken said it is most important that Roach performs his duties in a positive manner.
"It's not a typical 9-5 job," Lueken said. "When football season started, he was working six to seven days per week. He proved that he could do it."
Roach said his relationship with Lueken has been a positive experience.
"He has given me a great opportunity to gain experience that would be otherwise be difficult," Roach said. "He's just been great to me."
