Misericordia University would like to welcome three newcomers to the Athletics staff for the upcoming year.
Ellen O'Brien of Bethesda, MD joins the Misericordia staff as the Cougars' new Athletics Intern and Assistant Women's Basketball Coach.
In December, O'Brien will have completed her master's degree in Sport Management at Ithaca College, where she served as a graduate assistant in the athletic department this past year. She was also an assistant for the women's basketball team.
O'Brien completed her undergraduate degree at Denison University (OH), where she was a double major in Sports Management and Psychology.
She had a stellar career as a point guard with the Denison women's basketball team, leading the Big Red to three NCAA Tournament appearances.
In addition to being a three-time all-NCAC player (two first-team selections) and a team captain, she was the national Division III leader in assist/turnover ratio in 2008-09. O'Brien was named to the ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District Team that season.
Luke Schweitzer of Gurney, IL joins the Misericordia men's soccer staff as a graduate assistant after completing his undergraduate study at Loras College in Iowa with a degree in Sports Management. He will pursue a master's in Organizational Management at Misericordia.
He holds an NSCAA National Diploma and a USSF National “D” Coaching License.
Schweitzer, a midfielder, played two seasons at Loras and spent two more as a student assistant coach after suffering a season-ending injury before his junior year. The DuHawks advanced to the NCAA Division III Final Four in both 2007 and 2008.
While in college, Schweitzer also spent four seasons coaching at Dubuque Hempstead High School, three of them as a head coach.
Vince Redko of Stony Brook, NY joins the men's lacrosse staff, also as a graduate assistant. Redko earned his B.A. in History from Ursinus College.
He was a four-year player with the Bears and served as a team captain his senior season. He was also a member of the Leadership Committee during his time at Ursinus.
Redko will be pursuing a master's degree in Organizational Management at Misericordia.
