RELEASED: July 14, 2005

DANVILLE, KY—Centre College will welcome four new coaches to campus when classes begin in the fall.

Volleyball
James Neyhouse, who had been the volleyball coach at Wilmington College since 2001, will be the new volleyball coach.

A 1997 graduate of Wilmington College, Neyhouse takes over for former coach Stephanie Dragan, who is now the head coach at Western Carolina University.

"James has a reputation of being a diligent recruiter and a program builder. Although he is coming into a well-established program at Centre, I feel he will look to improve the program and continue to be competitive in the SCAC, which has several national contenders," says Director of Athletics and Recreation Brian Chafin.

The Colonels return three starters from last year's 28-12 team, including American Volleyball Coaches Association Division III All-American Sarah Burger.

Along with being the head volleyball coach, Neyhouse will also serve as the assistant sports information director and teach in the health and human performance program. He has had previous experience in both areas, serving as the sports information director at Thomas Moore and teaching in the health and physical education department at Wilmington.

"Because he has a very diverse professional background, James will be able to contribute to the athletic department in many areas. I look forward to working with Coach Neyhouse and I am excited about him joining our staff," Chafin says.

Field Hockey

Kimberly Hughes has been appointed the new field hockey coach. Hughes, a native of Adelaide, Australia, is a former captain of the University of Louisville field hockey team where she was a four-year starter as a defender. While at Louisville, she was named the Mid-American Conference Freshman of the Year, in addition to making the All-MAC First Team and NCAA Division I South All-Star Team.

"I am excited about what Kim will bring to the table," says Chafin, "She has had a great experience at the University of Louisville and her participation in the Futures Program for Field Hockey has allowed her to be well known in the those circles. This is an exciting time for Centre field hockey and the growth of the sport at our College."

Hughes will take over for former head coach and Centre alum Tom Hobbs. Hobbs, who has been Centre's head field hockey coach for the past two years, has decided to return to school next fall to pursue a law degree.

The Colonels will return 14 players from the 2004 team, which finished 3-15, including freshmen Ashley Distler (Louisville, Ky.), Taylor Gray (Louisville, Ky.), and Ann Guagliardo (Louisville, Ky.). These three were named to the inaugural All-SCAC team with Distler and Gray being named to the National Field Hockey Coaches Association All-Great Lakes Region team.

Baseball

Kyle Wynn will be the new assistant baseball coach beginning fall 2005.

Wynn, a 2005 graduate of Hanover College, was a three-year starter and four-year letter winner at first base for the Panthers.

The hiring reunites Wynn with current Centre head baseball coach Mike Pritchard. Prior to coming to Centre, Pritchard was the assistant coach at Hanover for Wynn's first three years.

"I'm very excited to have Kyle join our program. He has a great deal of knowledge about baseball, and I believe he will complement me well and fit right in with what we are trying to accomplish," Pritchard said.

Wynn was an All-Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference first team selection as a junior and senior and was a second team All-Mideast Region selection as a junior.

The Fort Wayne, Ind., native was also named Hanover's most valuable player his final two years and was voted a team captain twice.

Along with his baseball responsibilities, Wynn will assist Centre's director of athletics and recreational facilities, Sonny Evans, with home sporting events.

Women's soccer

Jessica Chisley '04, a two-sport standout while a student at Centre, will be the new assistant women's soccer coach.

Chisley was a four-year starting goalkeeper on the women's soccer team and a three-year starter for the softball program.

"Having a former All-Region player at Centre College who wants to be a part of the program and possesses the passion and desire to excel as a coach is a great thing. Because of her outgoing personality, the players will take to Coach Chisley and be able to build a relationship based on trust and respect," head soccer coach Jay Hoffman says.

As a student-athlete on the soccer team, Chisley was an All-SCAC selection all four years, being named to the first team twice and the second and third team once each.

Hoffman plans to have Chisley work with Centre's goalkeepers and defense.

"Jessica's energy, enthusiasm, and her commitment to the school will make her an outstanding coach," Hoffman said.

Along with her coaching duties. Chisley will also assist in other areas in the Centre athletic department.

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Founded in 1819, Centre College is ranked among the U.S. News top 50 national liberal arts colleges. Centre alumni, known for their nation-leading loyalty in annual financial support, include two U.S. vice presidents and two Supreme Court justices. For more, visit http://www.centre.edu/web/elevatorspeech/

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