President Ellen Marsh has named Monique Holloway the university's next director of athletics. Holloway, deputy athletic director since 2015, will succeed Janet Whitaker, who is retiring after 14 years in the role. Holloway begins August 1.
Holloway played basketball for the Hawks from 1996 to 2000 and was team captain her senior year. After a professional career in Europe, she worked in athletics administration at two other universities before returning to Hannon Hill in 2015. She oversaw the department's academic support programs, the renovation of Hawks Field and the launch of women's triathlon.
As deputy athletic director, Holloway also managed the department's budget and its partnership with student health services.
She holds a master's degree in sports management.
I sat in these locker rooms as a student. I know what this place can give a young person, and I know what they give back. It's a privilege to lead it.
A search and a transition
Holloway was selected after a national search by a 12-member committee that included coaches, faculty, students and alumni. She will be the first former Hawks athlete to lead the department and the second woman.
Whitaker's tenure included 19 conference championships, the addition of two varsity sports and a record-high athlete graduation rate of 91 percent. She will stay on as an adviser through December. A reception for Whitaker is planned for July 28 at Hawks Stadium. Details are on the athletics news page.
Holloway said her first priorities are athlete mental health support and improving facilities for women's sports.
