Webster University Athletics promoted its second in command, Merry Graf, senior women’s administrator and Volleyball head coach to interim Director of Athletics. She, along with other members of the Gorlok staff, will fill the position until the process to find a full replacement begins in the Spring of 2014, said Paul Carney, assistant provost for student affairs and athletics
Dr. Tom Hart announced his new position as director of athletics at Berry College (Ga.) on July 8. Berry is in its first year of D-III Championship eligibility. For Hart it was an opportunity he couldn’t pass up.
“It was a total shock to me that Tom told me he was moving on,” Graf said. “I’m flattered that they came to me. I’ve done administrator work before so I have some experience doing that.”
Graf has coached the Webster Volleyball team for the last 13 seasons and taken the Gorloks to the NCAA D-III Championship Tournament in back to back seasons. Graf said she isn’t worried about having to chase a third straight St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Championship, and control Webster Athletics.
“Ill do whatever it takes,” Graf said.
Carney said that is was a quick process to go directly to Graf to fill the position. she was seen as the No. 2 in charge to Webster Athletics while Hart was here.
“I will be involved in terms of helping out,” Carney said. “Amy Bommarito (athletics coordinator) and all the coaches will also pitch in as much as they can to provide our athletes will a seamless transition.”
Graf said she is veteran of Webster, and she is surrounded by others who know how to run their own teams.
“We have the one new coach in track but everyone else is established,” Graf said. “They have their programs going in the right direction and can just stay the course.”
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