DETROIT, Sept. 18, 2008 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Marygrove College has added three head coaches to its athletic staff. Karen Graves will initiate a new women's volleyball program, Lee Shaw will direct the new men's and women's cross country teams, and Matt Johnson will head the Marygrove men's soccer program. All coaches are currently recruiting student-athletes for varsity competition beginning in fall 2009.
Graves brings a wealth of knowledge of the game to Marygrove. Her volleyball background includes coaching numerous club teams throughout the state. She also enjoyed a successful playing career at Concordia University where she earned many accolades including WHAC Player of the Year, First Team All-WHAC, NCCAA All-American, and several NAIA honors.
Shaw most recently headed the cross country programs at Plymouth High School. In addition to his position at Plymouth, he was an assistant coach at Siena Heights University and head coach at both Livonia Ladywood High School ('99-'01) and The University of Detroit Jesuit High School ('01-'02). Originally from the U.K., Shaw was a standout runner at Siena Heights and Eastern Michigan University.
Johnson comes to Marygrove with a unique level of experience. In addition to coaching, he has played professional soccer for over 10 years. Over the course of his professional playing career, Johnson made stops in Chicago, Cleveland and Utah just to name a few. Currently, he serves as player/coach for the Detroit Ignition, Detroit's only professional soccer team.
Marygrove College recently announced plans to add women's soccer to their expanding athletic program and a search for a head coach is currently underway. For more information about Marygrove's athletics program or to contact a coach, visit www.marygrove.edu/athletics, call (313) 927-1391, or email athletics@marygrove.edu. The Marygrove Mustang Athletic Program is a member of the NAIA.
ABOUT MARYGROVE COLLEGE
Founded by the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) in 1927, Marygrove College is an independent liberal arts college and a Catholic institution of higher learning committed to developing leaders for the new global society. The main campus is situated on 53 wooded acres in northwest Detroit. 8425 W. McNichols Rd., Detroit, MI 48221; Phone: (866) 313-1927; Fax: (313) 927-1399; Email: info@marygrove.edu; Web site: www.marygrove.edu
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