MURFREESBORO, North Carolina -- The Chowan University athletic department and Dr. M. Christopher White made a critical announcement regarding the future of Chowan athletics on Tuesday afternoon. Upon the retirement of current Vice President/Director of Athletics, Dennis Helsel, Ozzie McFarland will take the reins of an athletic department with 15 varsity sports and cheerleading.McFarland will transition into the role effective December 31, 2013. Dr. White stated, "Dennis has done all the things an athletic director is supposed to do, and he's done them in remarkable fashion."
Helsel will retire from the position with over 30 years of intercollegiate athletic experience, with eight of those years having been at Chowan University. Over the course of his career, Helsel has served within various associations including NCAA Division I institutions (Syracuse, Akron, Maryland) and Conference USA.
Dr. White stated, "Prior to Dennis coming to Chowan, the athletic programs were in shambles for many reasons. We were looking for an individual who had experience at various levels of the NCAA and was familiar with their processes. Under Dennis' direction, he shepherded Chowan through the transition process from DIII to DII and aided our acceptance into the division as quickly as is possible."
Under Helsel's guidance and oversight, the Hawks soared to new heights having made the transition from NCAA DIII to NCAA DII and accepted into full membership with the oldest historically black conference in the nation, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA). The Hawks have enjoyed five CIAA Championships during Helsel's tenure; two in the sport of softball, two in volleyball, and an individual championship in golf (Cliff Forbes) along with four CIAA Northern Division Championships in softball and volleyball.
Dr. White continued, "Dennis was instrumental in Chowan's transition to the CIAA. His expertise to his colleagues in the league was valuable. His focus on sportsmanship and integrity in sport is admirable."
As a result of Helsel's tireless leadership efforts, Chowan student-athletes and the department as a whole have seen the benefit of significant increases in operational budgets, salaries, and scholarships. Helsel has also been instrumental in the reestablishment of the women's cross country team (fall of 2011), and the addition of women's bowling (winter 2010), women's lacrosse (spring 2012), and men's cross country (fall 2012).
Helsel has overseen numerous capital improvements during his time at Chowan. He also serves the institution as an instructor in the Sport Management program. Additionally, he has served on various NCAA committees including chairing the NCAA DII Men's Soccer Committee and NCAA Minority Opportunities and Interests Committees. He has shown a steadfast commitment to mentoring others as is evident in his participation as a mentor in the NACDA/ADA DII mentoring program in its' inaugural year.
To honor Helsel's success and contribution to the Chowan athletics and the institution as a whole, the Board of Trustees has unanimously named Helsel Director of Athletics Emeritus as shared by Dr. White on Tuesday. This honor has never been bestowed on an athletic director in the history of the institution.
Helsel has undoubtedly left a legacy that will set the precedent for his successor. Chowan University President, Dr. White, is confident that Ozzie McFarland will build off of Helsel's foundation in the coming years. He noted, "Ozzie has a proven track record in the athletic arena. I'm excited for the school and for him individually…Ozzie will be a fantastic successor. His dynamic personality and experience in athletics will serve this institution well."
McFarland looks forward to serving the athletic department in a leadership capacity. "Dr. White has a uniqe vision for this school, and he's a strong supporter of athletics. I'm a firm believer that a leader should lead a group better than he found it, and that's what I intend to do here. My job moving forward will be to ensure that everyone in this department is successful and that they have the resources they need to do just that…The job of our coaching staff will be to mold and shape the characters of future citizens. A good coach demands more of a student-athlete then that student-athlete expects of themselves. Demanding coaches will be commonplace in our department."
McFarland currently serves Chowan as an instructor in the Sport Studies and Physical Education department. He brings a great deal of experience to the table having competed as a baseball student-athlete at Gardner-Webb and athletic administrator at his alma mater.
McFarland contributed to Gardner-Webb in nearly every capacity imaginable. The Bulldogs' star on the baseball diamond returned to his alma mater as a graduate assistant in the Physical Education Department while serving as the head baseball coach from 1983-1987. McFarland also coached the Bulldog's volleyball and cross country teams during the mid-1980's.
In 1987, he left the world of coaching to become the school's first full-time Sports Information Director, a role he excelled in. In 1988, McFarland became the executive director of the Bulldog Club, the fundraising arm of Gardner-Webb's department of athletics. In his second year as executive director, the Bulldogs Club saw an 89% increase of fundraising dollars. He maintained the dual-role until 1990 when he was named Director of Athletics. During his seven years as athletic director, Gardner-Webb won South Atlantic Conference titles in football (1992), and men's basketball (1991-1992). McFarland oversaw a multi-million dollar budget while instituting a Hall of Fame and Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. Additionally, he oversaw aggressive promotions to encourage attendance while creating numerous additional opportunities for female student-athletes. He was inducted into Gardner-Webb's Athletic Hall of Fame for Meritorious Service in 2007.
McFarland returned to the classroom in 1997 and served as professor until 2008. After 30 years with Gardner-Webb, McFarland came to Chowan to teach in the SSPE department where he has served as an instructor in some capacity since 2007.
Dr. White will send his recommendation of McFarland forward to the Board of Trustees for their approval in their next meeting which will occur later this semester.
COURTESY CHOWAN UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS
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