Athletic Advisor Board WCU Biographies
Terry Beattie was named the Director of Athletics at West Chester University in May 2018, after
one year in an interim role, and 13 years as the Associate AD. As the Associate AD
he oversaw the athletic department's nine on-campus facilities, including John A.
Farrell Stadium, Rockwell Field, Serpico Stadium, and Vonnie Gros Field. He was responsible
for coordinating scheduling for all of the Golden Rams facilities as well as all game
day operations. During this time, he also served on several campus strategic planning
and search committees. The native of Rochester, N.Y., Beattie has an extensive background
in college athletics dating back to 1991. Beattie began his career as the equipment
manager at Nazareth College in Rochester in October of 1991, before accepting the
role of director of equipment, facility and event operations at Nazareth in August
of 1994. A long time veteran in college athletics, Beattie recently spearheaded the
development of the Michael Horrocks Emerging Leaders Institute at WCU, which provides
leadership training and development to a select group of outstanding student athletes
who, as recognized future leaders, will be taking on the mantle of leadership within
their team sometime in the future. Since arriving on West Chester’s campus in 2004,
Beattie has taken the lead in upgrading the Golden Ram’s athletic facilities. The
university's soccer field was converted to field turf. Farrell Stadium, home to the
Golden Rams' football and track & field squads, received a brand new playing surface
and state-of-the-art track re-surfacing. Hollinger Field House, home to the Golden
Rams' men's and women's basketball teams and women's volleyball squad, received a
face-lift. Vonnie Gros Field, the softball complex and rugby pitch each witnessed
new bleachers being installed to enhance spectator comfort. A member of the National
Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), Beattie has served as on-site
supervisor and game day manager for multiple prestigious events. These include the
following NCAA Championship events: 2005 NCAA Division II Women's Lacrosse national
championships, the 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012 and 2014 NCAA Division II Women's Soccer
regional championships and quarterfinals as well as the 2004, 2007, 2008, 2013 and
2014 NCAA Division II Football first-round playoff competitions. Additionally, Beattie
has coordinated all facility operations for the 2005, 2008, 2011 and 2014 ECAC Women's
Gymnastics championships hosted by West Chester University. He has also served as
facility and game day manager for a plethora of Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference
(PSAC) championship events in his 14-year stint at West Chester University, including
both men's and women's basketball, field hockey, women's lacrosse and women's soccer.
Term: ongoing as ex officio member |
| Campus Phone: x3555
Sharon Began is a Professor in the Department of Biology within the College of Sciences and Mathematics
at WCU. She received her BSEd. in Biology from Kutztown University, M.S. in Biology
from East Tennessee State University and a Ph.D. in plant biology from Southern Illinois
University at Carbondale. Sharon was a Division II softball student-athlete at Kutztown
and played ASA softball for 15 years. Her current athletic focus is tennis. Sharon
is interested in supporting student-athletes in meshing athletic performance and academic
pursuits as well as promoting WCU athletics on campus and in the community. Sharon
is one of six faculty representatives on the board.
Term: AY 2016 - 2019 |
| Campus Phone: x2457
Marie Bunner is the Associate Director and Academic Advisor in the Academic Development Program
(ADP). Marie earned a Bachelor’s degree in Communications and Rhetoric and a Master’s
degree in Administrative and Policy Studies from the University of Pittsburgh and
Doctor of Education degree from Saint Joseph’s University. Marie’s experience in academic
support services include teaching and learning, academic advising, and special admissions
programs. Athletes are among the students admitted to the University through the ADP
each year; Marie and the ADP staff are committed to engaging student athletes in learning
and assisting them in balancing academic and athletic achievement.
Term: ongoing as ex officio member |
| Campus Phone: x3132
Zebulun R. Davenport joined WCU in the Fall of 2016 as Vice President for Student Affairs. He holds a
B.S. in Communications/Public Relations from James Madison University, an M.Ed. (College
Student Personnel Administration) from James Madison University, and an Ed.D. (Higher
Educational Administration and Leadership) from NOVA South Eastern University. A former
collegiate wrestler, Zeb went on enjoy a highly successful martial arts career earning
a 4th degree black belt while ranked in the top 10 within the country in his weight
class. Zeb has a passion for running, public speaking, student success, and learning.
Term: ongoing as ex officio member |
| Campus Phone: x3301
Kaitlin Hatch is a fourth-year undergraduate student-athlete at West Chester University pursuing a B.S. in Marketing, as well as a minor in Economics. She currently serves as the President of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and is a member of the field hockey team at WCU. Kaitlin is also involved in Women In Business, Bringing Hope Home, and volunteers as an art mentor for children with adverse childhood experiences.
Christy Hicks is an Associate Professor of Special Education in the Department Special Education
within the College of Education at WCU. She earned a B.S. from Western Carolina University
in Professional Writing and Journalism, her M.A.T. from Western Carolina University
in Special Education, and her Ph.D. in Special Education from the University of North
Carolina at Charlotte. Christy is an avid fan of all things sports and has long loved
the Carolina Tarheels. Christy is excited to support our student athletes as a member
of the AAB, and she is one of six faculty representatives on the board.
Term: AY 2018 – 2021 |
| Campus Phone: 610-436-3067
Bryan L. Pointer is the Assistant Director of the Dowdy Multicultural Center. He earned a B.S in Sports
Management from Delaware State University. During his tenure at DSU, he was a member
of the cross country and track and field team. He earned his M.S in Higher Education
Counseling/Student Affairs from West Chester University. In his role at WCU, Bryan
promotes the academic achievement and personal development of more than 3,700 African-American,
Latino/a, Asian-American, and Native American Indian students at the University.
|Campus Phone: x2505
Tammy C. James is a Professor in the Department of Health within the College of Health Sciences
at WCU. She received her B.S. (School Health), M.Ed. (Community Health) and Ph.D.
(Curriculum& Instruction in School Health) all from Kent State University. Tammy currently
serves as the Coordinator for Academic Support Services for Student Athletes. In this
role, she oversees the Athletic Mentoring Program. She also created a teaches the
Leadership/Life skills class for Student Athletes. Tammy is the longest serving member
and one of six faculty representatives on the board.
Term: AY 2017 – 2020 |
| Campus Phone: x6999
David Jones is an Assistant Professor in the College of Arts and Humanities at West Chester University.
He received both his BFA and MFA from the Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia. Athletically,
David has played rugby for over twenty years and has represented both the Eastern
Pennsylvania Rugby Union and the Mid-Atlantic Rugby Football Union as a High-school,
Collegiate and Men's Club All-star. David captained both Media RFC and Schuylkill
River RFC to berths in national finals, and is one of only three members of the team
to have represented his clubs in both the Men's Rugby Sevens and Men's Fifteens Division
One National Championships.
Term: AY 2016 - 2019 |
| Campus Phone: x2755
Bruce Norris is the Director of the B.S. Liberal Studies: Professional Studies program within
the School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate Studies at WCU. Approximately 40 student-athletes
are pursuing this major at any given time (about 10% of all Professional Studies majors).
Bruce serves as the academic advisor to all of them. He earned a B.S. in Health and
Physical Education from West Chester and a M.A. in Physical Education (exercise science
concentration) from the University of Maryland. Bruce was a 4-year letter winner in
indoor and outdoor track while at WCU. He was a certified athletic trainer for 25
years, coached high school indoor track as well as serving as a youth coach for baseball,
basketball and soccer. Bruce is a 32-year faculty member at WCU who continues to be
interested in the success of WCU athletes both in the classroom, in competition and
in life after graduation. In the past he served on the Athletic Department’s Gender
Equity Advisory Committee. He is a member of the National Academic Advising Association
(NACADA) and of the National Association of Academic and Student-Athlete Development
Professionals. He has completed the online course “Academic Success and the Student
Athlete”, offered jointly by the NCAA and NACADA. He is also currently on the University
Academic Advising Task Force. Bruce is one of six faculty representatives on the board.
Term: AY 2017 – 2020 |
| Campus Phone: x3486
Christopher J. Przemieniecki is an Associate Professor of Criminal Justice within the College of Business and
Public Management. He received his B.S. from Wright State University (Sociology),
M.S. from Illinois State University (Criminal Justice), and PhD from University of
North Dakota (Criminology/Criminal Justice). Chris brings over 25 years of collegiate
coaching experience to the Athletic Advisory Board. He has held positions of Head
Men’s and Women’s Soccer Coach and Assistant Coach at various NCAA and NAIA schools
from Ohio (Wilmington College, Marietta College, Bowling Green State Univ.), Tennessee
(Lambuth Univ.), Illinois (Illinois State Univ.), Minnesota (Univ. of Minnesota-Crookston),
and Iowa (Marycrest International Univ.). Before retiring from collegiate soccer in
the spring of 2016, Chris last served as the WCU Women’s Soccer Assistant/Goalkeeper
Coach from 2009-2015. Chris holds a USSF ‘A’ coaching license, worked with US Soccer
and Poland, and attended the Eintracht Frankfurt Youth Academy of the Bundesliga in
Germany with his son. He also serves as the NCAA Women’s DII All-American National
Chair for the United Soccer Coaches organization (formerly, the National Soccer Coaches
Association of America). A former goalkeeper, Chris has played soccer at every level
in the U.S. and internationally (Poland and Spain). Over the course of his coaching
career, Chris also served as a Director of Coaching and Player Development for youth
clubs in Ohio, South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania. He also coached
at the high school level, select travel teams (U8-U19), worked numerous soccer camps
across the country, and is currently coaching goalkeepers with Continental FC, a local
travel select youth club. As a former player/coach and now educator, Chris is a strong
advocate for athletics and the student-athlete’s pursuit for academic excellence.
Term: AY 2018 – 2021 m |
| Campus Phone: x2875
Joseph Santivasci joined WCU in 2003 as the University Registrar. Currently, he serves as Associate
Provost for Enrollment Management and Campus Planning, and Director of Philadelphia
Center. He earned a B.S. from Widener University and has a M.Ed. from the University
of Delaware. Joe has coached Little League baseball and now enjoys watching his twin
sons play football and lacrosse. Joe has worked to clarify academic policies, help
with financial aid, and reduce course scheduling issues as they relate to student-athletes.
Joe is one of three administration representatives on the board.
Term: AY 2016 - 2019 |
| Campus Phone: x3376
Andrew Slater is a fourth-year undergraduate student-athlete at West Chester University pursuing a B.S. in Exercise Science with a concentration in Pre-Physical Therapy, as well as a minor in Coaching. He currently serves as the Ram Cup Coordinator of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and is a member of the men's soccer team at WCU. Andrew is also an executive board member for the Exercise Science Club, where he serves as the treasurer. Andrew plans to attend the Graduate School for his Master's in Prosthetics and Orthotics after graduation.
Craig Stevens is a Professor of Exercise Science and Chair of the Department of Kinesiology within
the College of Health Sciences at WCU. He is also West Chester’s appointed NCAA Faculty
Athletics Representative. He earned his BA (Psychology) from the Johns Hopkins University,
a M.S. (Physical Education: Exercise Physiology concentration) from Springfield College
and a Ph.D. (Exercise Physiology, secondary concentration in Medical Physiology) from
Temple University. He was a Post-doctoral Research Associate at the Institute for
Environmental Medicine within the School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.
Craig was a football, wrestling and lacrosse athlete in high school and continued
playing football and wrestling in college. At the collegiate level Craig has been
an assistant football coach, assistant powerlifting coach (club), head wrestling coach
and Sports Information Director. He has coached high school football, wrestling and
lacrosse as an assistant. Craig has coached several youth sports (football, lacrosse,
soccer, swimming, wrestling) for over 30 years. He has served as a strength and conditioning
consultant for a variety of athletic teams both at UPenn and WCU as well as several
local high schools. Craig chairs the Athletic Advisory Board and also serves on the
Sports Equity Committee.
Term: AY 2017 – 2019 |
| Campus Phone: x2386
John Villella is the Vice President for University Affairs and Chief of Staff to the President
at WCU. He earned his BS and MM Music Education Degrees from West Chester University
and Ed.D. from Widener University. John joined the WCU faculty in 1983 and is probably
best known as the director of the marching band from 1992 to 2007. He was an assistant
coach for youth baseball and enjoys playing golf. He is an advocate of student success,
an important outcome in both the arts and athletics. John is one of three administration
representatives on the board.
Term: AY 2017 – 2020 |
| Campus Phone: x3111