Dave Martin and Chuck Edkins worked together in the Misericordia University athletic department for 24 years, including the last 11 with Martin as athletic director and Edkins as his assistant.
When Martin made the move to a similar position at The University of Scranton this summer, Misericordia officials decided there was no reason to search for a replacement.
Edkins, a Sweet Valley resident who has lived in the Back Mountain since first coming to Misericordia in 1991, was selected to take over the department and guide its continued growth.
“Dave and I had a great relationship working together, then all of a sudden a guy I’ve been working with side-by-side isn’t here,” Edkins said.
Although Edkins had not pursued a move to an athletic director position, he was pleased to be selected when the change happened.
“I have a great affinity for this place,” Edkins said.
Misericordia University President Dr. Tom Botzman cited Edkins’ long-time commitment to the school as a coach and administrator – 24 years as head men’s soccer coach, 13 years as head baseball coach and the last 11 years as associate director of athletics while continuing to lead the soccer program to success.
“His efforts to provide the best possible experience to our student-athletes are laudable and I am confident that he is prepared to take the lead role of a very successful athletics program,” Botzman said. “Our students, families and the entire Misericordia University community will benefit from his commitment and leadership.”
The Misericordia athletic program looks much different than when Martin and Edkins joined it within a year of each other under the leadership of former athletic director, Dr. Michael Mould.
“(Martin) has led us through a period of substantial growth in athletics with the addition of facilities and football, men’s tennis and women’s golf as varsity sports offerings,” Misericordia Vice President of Student Life Kit Foley said is a press release last month, announcing Martin’s exit. “Dave has contributed much to Misericordia and we are proud of all that he and our athletic department have accomplished.”
Under Martin, Misericordia teams won 27 conference championships and earned 23 NCAA Tournament berths. The women’s soccer team made the school’s first Final Four trip in 2012 and Ashlee Ward became an NCAA indoor and outdoor high jump national champion in 2014.
Martin, who earlier served as men’s basketball coach, stepped in as interim women’s basketball coach in 2011-12 and led the Cougars to their first MAC Freedom title and NCAA berth.
Growth continues at Misericordia, which moved from the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference to the more competitive Middle Atlantic Conference in 2008 and added football in 2012.
Edkins said progress will continue.
“There are renovations programs,” Edkins said. “We’re working on some things in the Anderson Center.”
A former physical therapy lab is being converted into more locker room space. Since the addition of the football program, there has not been adequate locker room space to operate the pool and its changing areas at the same time as basketball games were being conducted in the gymnasium.
Another proposed project for the near future is to relocate the softball field to another spot on campus.
“My number-one priority as the director is to make sure that I and the staff here are providing the best-quality experience for our student-athletes,” Edkins said. “We want to provide them the best possible experience that we can.
“At the same time, I want to make sure I am guiding an athletic staff that is compromising in the mission of Misericordia, the values of the institution and also making sure we are true to the values of our conference and also the NCAA.”
Edkins is just one of the recent personnel changes. He has had to be involved in coaching decisions early in his new job.
Trevor Woodruff followed Martin to Scranton to become women’s basketball coach, leaving the Misericordia men’s position open.
Edkins announced Tuesday that Willie Chandler has been elevated from the role of assistant coach the past six years to interim head coach.
Chandler, one of the most-decorated athletes in school history, was a four-time PAC Player of the Year and two-time national scoring champion. He graduated as the second-leading scorer in NCAA Division III history with 2,898 points.
Citing the program’s success and the number of athletes involved, Edkins explained Monday’s addition of Rebecca Rhodes as the first full-time assistant track and field coach at the school.
Two weeks earlier, Lindsay Freitag was named as the new softball coach.
When the season is over, Edkins will need to determine if the school needs a new men’s soccer coach or if he can continue successfully in both roles.
“I need to see how this goes,” Edkins said.
As soccer coach, Edkins is 276-152-33, including 15-6-2 last season. Misericordia won MAC Freedom titles in 2008, 2009, 2011 and 2012. His 2000 team won a PAC title and became the first in school history to make the NCAA Tournament.
Originally from Rochester, New York, Edkins played goalie for four seasons at SUNY Cortland. He returned to the school as a graduate assistant, helping Cortland to an NCAA Elite Eight berth before coming to Misericordia.