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ATHLETICS: AD Collins says field hockey opening still in search process

(02/05/10 5:00am)

The Ball State University athletics department now has one head coaching position left to fill after Wednesday's hiring of new Ball State soccer coach Craig Roberts.Director of Athletics Tom Collins said Wednesday afternoon that the field hockey position is still open, but couldn't say much beyond that."We're in the midst of that process right now," Collins said. "There's been some good interest."Ball State had three head coaching spots to fill after the coaches in women's tennis, soccer and field hockey were all fired within a one month period in October and November.Collins filled the tennis spot, formerly held by longtime coach Kathy Bull, with interim coach Amy Behrman Jan. 11. He said he's been happy so far with Behrman's performance, as the women's tennis team currently holds a 3-1 record."I think she's jumped in with both feet, and I think she's got a good rapport with the student-athletes," Collins said. "She's out there working hard with the student-athletes, trying to help them, develop them and putting them in a position where they can be successful, and I think so far, that's worked."Though Behrman officially has the title of interim coach, Collins said his staff is not going to re-evaluate the position until this season's completion.As for the hiring of Roberts, Collins said he was encouraged by a large number of qualified candidates for the job."I thought we had a very good pool of candidates and they all brought something a little bit different," he said. "I think that was great about the search process — you get to see some different people and hear some different ideas."Roberts comes from the University of Tennessee at Martin, a school that on Monday was selected to play the Ball State men's basketball team in the ESPNU BracketBusters game on Feb. 20 at Worthen Arena.Was there any connection between the UT Martin soccer and men's basketball programs that might've helped Roberts land the job at Ball State?That's a negative, according to Collins."It's purely coincidental," he said.

https://www.ballstatedaily.com/article/2010/02/athletics-ad-collins-says-field-hockey-opening-still-in-search-process

SOCCER: Ball State picks UT Martin's Craig Roberts as new coach

(02/05/10 5:00am)

After nearly three months of searching for a new soccer coach, Ball State University announced Wednesday the hiring of Craig Roberts to take over the program. Roberts, who has coached at the University of Tennessee at Martin since 2006, fills the vacancy that has been open since former coach Michael Lovett was fired by Ball State in mid-November.He will just be the program's fourth head coach in its history."I wanted to come here because of the prestigious record Ball State has had over the years," Roberts said. "Ball State has been able to produce quality teams that contend for [Mid-American Conference] championships."Roberts led UT Martin to a combined record of 34-27-12 in four seasons. In the past three seasons, the Skyhawks were 19-3-1 on their home field. In his most recent season, UT Martin went 9-7-0 and won its first Ohio Valley Conference championship in program history.Roberts said he hopes he can bring similar success to the Cardinals."I'm going to bring dedication and commitment to the table," he said. "I want to strive to make Ball State a well respected program academically and athletically."Roberts said he will hold a team meeting Friday where he will meet the team in person for the first time.Sophomore defender Tina Vannatta said she's optimistic that Roberts can bring the program back to a contender in the MAC."He is a very demanding coach but we are really excited and ready for the new change," she said. "I really feel like he can turn this program around and get us back to the top of the MAC. He will be very good for this program."Vannatta said she believes Roberts is the right coach for the program because of his successes at other schools. She also believes his new tactics and focus on team chemistry will help build the team back up from two straight losing seasons.Before his coaching career, Roberts, a native of Kidderminster, England, played as a right and center defensive back for semi-professional and professional teams in England, such as Oxford United, the Kidderminster Harriers, Worcester City and the Wolverhampton Wanderers."I think my playing experiences enhances my ability to relate to my players," Roberts said. "I believe when you try to teach players it has to be based on your own personal experiences. My playing experience allows me to pass what I know onto my players."Ball State will play their spring season as planned, which Roberts believes will help for next season. He wants to introduce his new tactics in the spring and use them in a competitive environment. Roberts said because they will be getting a late start, the spring season will be tailored accordingly."The focus on goal will be improvements everyday, in practice and in games. We have to take one step at a time," Roberts said. "I would be delighted to have success in my first year and contend for a MAC championship, but my hope is that small steps lead to success."

https://www.ballstatedaily.com/article/2010/02/soccer-ball-state-picks-ut-martins-craig-roberts-as-new-coach

BREAKING NEWS: Ball State will not renew contracts of soccer coach Lovett, field hockey coach Payne

(11/18/09 5:00am)

The Ball State University athletics department Wednesday evening announced that the contracts of soccer coach Mike Lovett and field hockey coach Annette Payne will not be renewed.The contracts of soccer assistant coach Amber Alexander and field hockey assistant coach Liz Sanders will also not be renewed.

https://www.ballstatedaily.com/article/2009/11/breaking-news-ball-state-will-not-renew-contracts-of-soccer-coach-lovett-field-hockey-coach-payne