RELEASE DATE: 3/25/08

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Ian Coffey named head women’s swimming coach – becomes seventh coach in programs’ history

MANSFIELD – Ian Coffey, an assistant coach at Villanova University for the past four years, has been named the head coach of the women’s swimming program at Mansfield University.

The announcement was made today by Director of Athletics Roger Maisner.

“We’re pleased to have Ian Coffey as our new head women’s swim coach,” said Maisner. “He has a background of producing success both athletically and academically at the Division I level and we’re confident he can develop that same environment of success at Mansfield.”

Coffey has served as an assistant coach at Villanova since 2004 where his responsibilities included recruiting at the national and international level, serving as the team academic coordinator and working with mid-distance, sprint and stroke groups. He coached swimmers who went on to become Big East Champions and NCAA qualifiers in his four seasons at Villanova.

“I believe a great opportunity exists at Mansfield University for women’s swimming,” said Coffey. “It may not happen overnight, but we intended to become a competitive program at the conference and national level.”

“There are some very good high school programs in this area as well as Pennsylvania and New York and I’m confident we can tap into those programs to increase our squad size and skill levels.”

Coffey also served as an assistant coach at Syracuse University from 2002-04 and as a graduate assistant coach at Virginia Tech from 2000-02.

He was the head women’s swim coach at Mount St. Joseph’s Academy as an undergrad at LaSalle University.

Coffey graduated with a BA in history from LaSalle in 1999 and received his MS in physical education in heath promotions from Virginia Tech in 2002.

Coffey will also serve as the aquatics director at Mansfield.

Mansfield is a member of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) that will expand to 16 schools next season. The Mountaineers compete at the NCAA Division II level.

.