Holava named Defiance College assistant athletic director

DEFIANCE, Ohio – Jodie Holava, head softball coach at Defiance College, has been named assistant athletic director at the college. Holava, who will retain her coaching position, is the all-time wins leader in the history of the softball program.

"I am extremely pleased that Jodie has agreed to take on these additional responsibilities," said President Mark C. Gordon. "Jodie has proven herself as a coach, a colleague, a mentor for our student-athletes, and as a leader on campus.  I am confident that, in addition to continuing to lead our softball program forward as head coach, she will now also do great work as assistant athletic director."

Holava arrived at DC in 2006. Under her mentorship, the softball program has won three conference championships and finished among the top three in final standings in NCAA regionals during four of her years as head coach. In addition, the softball team and individual student-athletes have earned dozens of All-Conference honors in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference. The program has also excelled academically, earning numerous scholastic honors.

Ken Wetstein, vice president for student engagement and dean of students, called Holava "an outstanding coach and a great colleague."  He noted her excellent connections with the campus outside of athletics and said she is well-respected by faculty and administrators alike. "Jodie is committed to giving our student-athletes the best possible experience," he said.

The announcement positions the Yellow Jacket athletic department with new leadership entering the upcoming academic year. Rudy Yovich, most recently the director of athletics at Owens Community College, has been named Defiance's athletic director, effective mid-August. He said he is excited to have Holava as part of his administrative team. "Jodie's overall experience will be a tremendous asset as we continue to position Defiance College as a leader in the classroom and on the playing field," he added.

Holava is active across the Defiance campus. In addition to her coaching responsibilities, she is an instructor in the First Year Experience program and serves on numerous academic and student life committees.

"I would like to thank President Gordon and Ken Wetstein for offering me this administrative opportunity," Holava said. "I am extremely excited for the new responsibilities, and I look forward to working with Rudy to continue to strengthen Defiance College athletics and the student-athlete experience."

Holava earned her bachelor's degree from Mount Union College in athletic training with a minor in health and secondary education. She holds a master's degree in education from Cleveland State University. Before coming to Defiance, she was assistant softball coach at Notre Dame College of Ohio. She also coached the Northcoast Spirit, a traveling softball team sanctioned by the National Softball Association. The Spirit went to the NSA World Series each year with Holava as their coach.