Last Thursday president Chris Brussalis announced an interim athletic director: Scott Swain.
Swain comes from Notre Dame College in Ohio, where he has been serving as vice president for athletics, recreation & campus facilities. He had been in charge of the college’s athletics program since 2012 and was one of the founding athletic directors of the Mountain East Conference (MEC) in NCAA Division II – the same conference the university has recently been invited to join.
“Because a thorough search can and will take some time, it is crucial that we have experienced leadership in place now to assist us in making this historic move,” Brussalis said in the email. “Scott’s experience with the MEC and NCAA Division II will be an extraordinary asset to Point Park as we navigate the process of applying for membership to the NCAA so we can officially join the MEC.”
Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students Keith Paylo announced at the beginning of the semester that former athletic director of six years John Ashaolu had resigned.
“I am grateful for his work in advancing athletics at Point Park and his advocacy and support for our student-athletes,” Paylo said in an email. “Point Park wishes John the very best.”
Former Athletic Director John Ashaolu resigned this semester.
Ashaolu released a statement about his resignation on his X, formerly known as Twitter, and LinkedIn accounts last week.
“As my basketball coach Loren Torres always says to his student-athletes ‘appreciate the parts that make the whole possible,’” Ashaolu said in the statement. “As I search for my next opportunity, I take great pride in knowing we left a trail.”
Ashaolu declined to provide further comment to The Globe.
Also announced in this email was a new assistant athletic director of compliance: Carrie Bodkins. Bodkins most recently served as vice president for enrollment management/director of athletics at Alderson Broaddus University in West Virginia, where she worked from 2005 until the school’s closure last year. Bodkins has experience working within NCAA Division II and previously served on the Division II Implementation Committee.
Bodkins has already started in this position, and Swain is expected to start at the end of the month on January 29.
A nationwide search is still being conducted to find a full-time athletic director.
Gene Murray • Mar 21, 2024 at 1:12 pm
What a genuine Class Act @ John Ashaolu, certainly wish him all the very best. Happy I was able to cross paths with this pioneering trailblazer. He’s an exemplary educator too (actually experienced a few classes with him and my Point Point University cohort’s Athletic Coaching & Administration, M. Ed. program in 2021-’23. Hat-tip.