News Release

Baclawski Tabbed to Take Reigns of SU Women�s Soccer Program

After a thorough national search, Southwestern University has hired Jene� Baclawski to become the third Head Women�s Soccer Coach in program history beginning on April 14.

�I�m extremely excited to be a part of such a prestigious academic institution at Southwestern. The athletic department and women�s soccer program prides itself on success. I look forward to building on last year�s success and getting the opportunity to coach a great group of young ladies. I�m excited about the reputation of the school academically as well as the facilities and the conference Southwestern is a part of. I am honored to be joining the Southwestern family,� said Baclawski.

�We are extremely pleased to have Jene� joining the Southwestern Athletics family. She brings experience not just at the Division III level, but at a strong academic institution similar to Southwestern. During the hiring process, it became clear Jene� was ready to make the leap to head coach and she was going to be a good fit at SU,� stated Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Dr. Glada Munt.

Baclawski comes to the Pirates after serving the last two years as the Assistant Women�s Soccer Coach and Coordinator of the Athlete Tutor Program at Emory University. She brings experience working at a nationally-renowned university with a strong academic background which will suit her well at Southwestern. A Texas native, Baclawski comes to SU with a knowledge of the state. That knowledge along with her dynamic personality will be a major asset in recruiting.

Baclawski also has experience with coaching a nationally-ranked NCAA Division III women�s soccer program as the Eagles ranked as high as seventh in the nation during the 2007 season and number one in the South Region. In Baclawski�s two years with Emory, her teams posted a record of 25-8-4.

She had a hand in everything at Emory including conditioning, recruiting, administration, travel coordination, scheduling, player relations and responsibility for team equipment. As the Coordinator of the Athlete Tutor Program, Baclawski was in charge of scheduling and monitoring academically at-risk athletes with peer tutors and providing support to student-athlete academic development for all of the Eagles� varsity programs.

Baclawski also has served as the head coach and trainer of the Atlanta United Soccer Association, a u17 girl�s club team in Atlanta, since 2000. From 2003-2005, she also served as the program coordinator for the u10 and u11 girl�s program. Baclawski has also coached at soccer camps in Atlanta and at the high school level.

She is currently working on her Ph.D. in Sports Studies from the University of Georgia and has earned a Master�s Degree in Women�s Studies from Georgia State University along with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy from Queens College. Baclawski also has experience teaching in a college setting from 2003-2006 at Georgia where she taught physical education and women�s studies classes.

Baclawski played soccer collegiately at Queens, a NCAA Division II program, for three years. She earned All-Conference, All-Conference Tournament and All-American Scholar Athlete honors during her time as a player.

�I look forward to seeing Jene� in action and seeing our women�s soccer program continue to grow and improve,� added Munt.

In 2007, the SU women�s soccer team enjoyed its best season yet as the Pirates finished with a record of 13-5 and a 7-2 mark in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference. The Pirates finished second in the SCAC for the best finish in program history. The Pirates return 26 players from last year�s team.

SU Sports Information

Submitted 2008-03-28 12:36:54 by Southwestern University Sports Information Department

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