School names new Vice President for Student Life, Director of Athletics and Recreation

RELEASED: Feb. 8, 2002

DANVILLE, KY-Centre College made two major appointments on Friday. Randy Hays was named Vice President for Student Life and Brian Chafin was named Director of Athletics and Recreation.

Hays and Chafin, who have a combined 22 years of experience working at Centre, emerged as the top candidates from a nationwide search that spanned 10 states.

"In both searches we were gratified by the quantity and quality of the candidates we attracted," Centre President John Roush said. "In the two applicant groups there were sitting vice presidents for student life and sitting athletic directors. When the process played itself out, our internal candidates were the best qualified for these positions."

Chafin has coached men's soccer at Centre since 1989. Chafin has won the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference regular-season title four times and was named the conference's Coach of the Year after each of those seasons. He has coached 31 Centre soccer players recognized as All-Region players and three All-Americans.

"I always felt I was a player's coach," said Chafin, a graduate of Ithaca (N.Y.) College. "After 29 years of coaching it's an appropriate time to become a coach's administrator. I feel fortunate and excited about the opportunity to work with John Roush, the athletic staff and others at the College to raise the level of competition at Centre. And I really want to focus on providing recreation for our entire student body."

Chafin, who coached 16 years at Clarkson University in New York before coming to Centre, will replace Joe McDaniel, who is retiring. McDaniel is Centre’s all-time winningest football coach, recording a 101-63-3 mark from 1980-97.

Chafin assumes the position of athletics director May 31. In so doing, he will relinquish his duties as men's soccer coach.

Competing at the NCAA's Division III level, Centre offers nine intercollegiate sports for men and 10 for women.

Hays, who has worked in the student life office at Centre since 1993, has served as the Vice President for Student Life this year on an interim basis. He assumes the regular appointment immediately. Hays replaces Nancy Lackey, who worked at Centre for 15 years.

Hays, formerly associate dean and director of residence life and counseling, is excited about the opportunity.

"I'm really pleased to continue working with the students, staff and faculty here at Centre," he said. "The work we do in student life in educating students outside the classroom is challenging in the best sense of the word and makes my job rewarding. I've been fortunate to have an experienced and capable staff in place, and we look forward to serving the fine and able student body and the greater Centre community."

Ashley McGraw, a senior who served on the search committee for the position, commented that Hays: "… has a love and enthusiasm for the students and Centre College. I feel the students are always welcome in the Student Life Office. And he has a good balance of being a disciplinarian and a friend."

Hays has a bachelor's degree from Berea College and a master's in Higher Education Administration from the University of Kentucky.

The Centre College Student Life Office's areas of responsibility include student activities, residence life and counseling, Greek life, leadership and volunteer service, housing, public safety, religious life/Chaplain’s Office, and Parson's Student Health Center.

Hays also works with the Student Congress, Panhellenic and Interfraternal councils, and other student organizations.

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