UCONNHUSKIES.COM - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Partnership Services Coordinator
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- Assistant Athletic Trainer ( Swim / Dive, Rowing )
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- Assistant
- Coach
- Title / Assistant Coach
Adam Vaccari, a four-year member of the UConn golf team (2008-12) under Coach Dave Pezzino, is in his second year as an assistant coach with the Huskies, helping Pezzino with the day-to-day operation of the program as well as with tournament preparation and recruiting.
Vaccari, 26, is a Winsted, Conn., native who played in 31 events for the Huskies, winning the 2010 New England Division I Championship Tournament in the spring of 2010 and the 76 th Annual NEIGA Championship in the fall of 2010. He averaged 77.86 per round for the Huskies, shot three sub-70 rounds, and earned All-Big East Conference, All-New England, and All-Northeast Region honors.
Vaccari played professionally for two years before moving in the direction of coaching and teaching. He returned to UConn last year to earn his master's degree in education.
Job Titles:
- Associate Director - SASP ( Softball, Men's & Women's Hockey, Women 's Soccer )
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- Associate Head Strength and Conditioning Coach
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- Assistant
- Coach
- Graduate Assistant Coach
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- Director of Sports Performance Women 's Basketball
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- Director of UConn Football Alumni / Community Affairs
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- Director of Women 's Basketball Communications
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- Deputy Director of Athletics / Senior Woman Administrator
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- Academic Counselor ( Lacrosse, Rowing, Field Hockey, Women 's Track & Field )
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- Assistant Coach - Running Backs
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- McLendon Foundation Future Leader
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- Director of Personal and Professional Development
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- Assistant Director of Athletic Communications / Staff Photographer ( Rowing, Women 's Swimming and Diving )
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- Assistant Distance Coach and Recruiting Coordinator
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- Director of Creative Video Services
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- Director of Track & Field and Cross Country
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- Assistant Athletic Director for Communications ( Football, Golf )
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- Associate Athletic Director for Athletic Training ( FB )
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- Director of Men 's Basketball Communications
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- Assistant Coach - Quarterbacks / Passing Game Coordinator
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- Director of Marketing & Digital Media
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- Volunteer Assistant Coach
Carl Girasoli is in his 11th season associated with the UConn golf program and has been a volunteer assistant coach since April, 2008.
Girasoli is a native of Norwich, Conn., and graduated from Norwich Free Academy in 1962. He served four years in the United States Air Force and then worked for 31 years with the Connecticut Department of Transportation as a Senior Engineer before retiring in 1997.
Girasoli has two sons, Anthony (Tony) and Brian and two grandsons, Gio and Nico. Tony and Brian are both alumni of the University of Connecticut.
Girasoli has also worked as a shop clerk at Mohegan Sun Golf Club since April of 1998 and has been an active member at the University Club of Connecticut (formerly Willimantic Country Club) since 1992.
Job Titles:
- Director of Women 's Basketball Recruiting Operations and Student - Athlete Development
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- Head of Football Equipment
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- Manager of Athletic Fields
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- Assistant Athletic Director of Athletics Administration
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- Senior Associate Athletic Trainer ( BSB )
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- Human Resources Coordinator
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- Senior Associate Athletic Director for External Strategy
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- Assistant Director of Equipment Services / Ice Arena Assistant
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- Director of Baseball / Women 's Soccer Operations / Assistant Director of Athletic Communications / on - Air Talent
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- Assistant Director of Equipment Services
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- Associate Head Strength and Conditioning Coach ( Men 's Soccer, Rowing, Golf )
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- Assistant Coach - Tight Ends
Job Titles:
- Senior Director of Ticket Operations
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- Offensive Graduate Assistant
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- Assistant Director of Athletic Communications ( Volleyball, Men's Ice Hockey, Women 's Ice Hockey )
Job Titles:
- Assistant Athletic Director for Development
Job Titles:
- General Manager of Ticket Sales
- SALES and SERVICE
Job Titles:
- Assistant Coach - Pass Game Coordinator / Secondary
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- Associate Athletic Director for Equipment Services
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- Athletic Events and Facilities Assistant
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- Athletics Development Coordinator
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- Assistant Director of Athletics / Video Services
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- Coach
- Head
- Title / Head Coach
As he heads into his 17 th season as the head coach for UConn men's golf in 2023-24, Dave Pezzino has added another achievement to an already-impressive list of accomplishments. Besides another team tournament victory and six Top Five finishes during the 2022-23 season, the UConn coach guided UConn's first-ever BIG EAST Conference men's golf Player of the Year in grad student Jared Nelson.
Nelson's recognition from the league symbolizes how Pezzino has raised the standards for all aspects of UConn golf since he took over the program on Aug. 24, 2007 - not only the talent level of the student-athletes, but also the academics, level of competition, scheduling and expectation of success. Under Pezzino, Top 5 finishes have all but become the norm and Top 10s almost taken for granted for the Huskies, as have academic excellence, play on top-level courses and facing some of the best teams in college golf.
In 2022-23, the Huskies played 11 regular-season events, winning BIG EAST Match Play for the second straight year, the 16 th team tournament victory during Pezzino's tenure. He has also coached 13 all-conference selections, 19 PING All-Northeast Region picks and 14 All-New England selections. The five players who were named to the 2022 BIG EAST All-Academic Team brings Pezzino's total in that category to a remarkable 77 student-athletes, with the 2023 awards still to be announced.
Job Titles:
- Associate General Manager of Ticket Sales
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- Director of Football Logistics
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- Director of Student - Athlete Counseling and Mental Health Services
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- Assistant Athletic Director for Strategic Initiatives
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- Assistant Coach - Special Teams Coordinator / Sam / Recruiting Coordinator
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- Athletics Multicultural Mental Health Clinician
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- Senior Associate Athletic Director for Sports Medicine, Head Team Physician
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- Executive Associate Athletic Director for Competitive Excellenc
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- Orthopedic Team Physician
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- Orthopedic Team Physician
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- Orthopedic Team Physician
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- Athlete Mental Health Clinician ( Psychologist )
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- Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach
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- Associate Athletic Trainer ( MIH, TENNIS )
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- Associate Director of Athletics / SASP ( Women 's Basketball )
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- Account Executive
- Annual Fund Officer
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- Assistant Director of Athletic Events and Facilities
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- Assistant Director of Marketing & Digital Media
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- Assistant Director of Video Services
Job Titles:
- Associate Director of Athletics / Complianc
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- Assistant Track & Field Coach
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- Associate Director of Athletics / Facilities Management and Planning
Job Titles:
- Assistant Athletic Trainer ( SB )
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- Women 's Lacrosse Assistant Coach
Forrest Stillwell completed his first season with UConn this past May after being hired as an assistant coach in the fall of 2014.
Connecticut earned its third-straight trip to the Big East Tournament in Stillwell's first season in Storrs, and UConn made program history after making its first appearance in the Big East Championship game this past May.
Three Huskies took home Player of the Year Awards, while Stillwell and the UConn coaching staff was tabbed the Leage's Coaching Staff of the Year. Connecticut set program records in points (323) and assists (111) this past season with Stillwell on the UConn sideline.
Stillwell came to UConn after spending four years as an assistant coach at Bucknell University, where he helped the Bison earn their first Patriot League victory in 2013, and win a program-best two conference wins last year. He served as the goalie coach as well as the defensive coordinator and transition game coach throughout his time at Bucknell, and he also assisted in recruiting efforts.
The Bison improved dramatically following Stillwell's arrival, as they led the Patriot League in caused turnovers in 2013, and finished second in the statistical category last season. They were second in the league in draw controls from 2012-13 before finishing fifth last year with 167 draw controls.
The former Bucknell assistant coach arrives in Storrs with a wealth of experience at the club level, and he has participated in a variety of camps throughout his coaching career. In 2012, he was involved with the Triple Threat, Duke Elite and PSU Camp, and last year he took part in the Syracuse Team Camp as well as a camp with the University of Florida, which recently became an associate member of Big East women's lacrosse.
Stillwell, a 2001 graduate of Auburn University, served as the head coach for the varsity girls' lacrosse team at Holy Innocents' Episcopal School in Atlanta, Ga. from 2007-11. Under his leadership, Holy Innocents' reached the state championship game in 2011, and in 2010 they qualified for the state semifinals. In the season prior to his arrival, the team went 2-15.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director of Learning Services / Learning Specialist ( All Teams )
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- Director of Sports Performance / Men 's Basketball
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- Coach
- Head
- Head Coach / Director of Tennis
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- Assistant Coach - Run Game Coordinator / Offensive Lin
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- Assistant Director of Development
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- Assistant Director of Development
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- Director of Recruiting / High School Relations
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- Associate Head Athletic Trainer ( MBB, Golf )
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- Director of Athletic Events and Facilities
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- Associate Athletic Trainer ( WBB, GOLF )
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- Deputy Director of Athletics / Chief Operating Officer
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- Director of Creative Content
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- Director of Football Academics
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- Learning Specialist / Academic Counselor ( Men's Track & Field, Men 's Soccer, Golf )
Job Titles:
- Director of Player Personnel / Pro Liaison
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- Assistant Athletic Director for Development
Job Titles:
- Director of Men 's Hockey Operations
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- Director of Olympic Sports Performance ( Women's Ice Hockey, Baseball, Women 's Volleyball )
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director of Athletic Events and Facilities
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Coach
- Corporate Coach and Trainer
- Title / Assistant Coach
- Volunteer Assistant Coach
Jon Wortmann is a best-selling author and international corporate coach and trainer who specializes in communication, leadership, and stress reduction skills. He authored "Hijacked by Your Brain" with UConn Medical School Professor Dr. Julian Ford, which was the inspiration for the coaching innovations that continue to help UConn athletes. His professional golfers play on the PGA Tour, Web.com tour, and PGA Tour Canada and Latin America.
In his seventh season with UConn, Wortmann works with players to make practice like competition, to plan for pressure, and to bank memories that build confidence. He emphasizes the decision-making process, awareness of stress levels, and discovering the unique ways each player can learn every round. UConn head coach Dave Pezzino credits Wortmann with helping UConn's young players gain the concentration necessary for the successful seasons over the past few years.
Close to a scratch golfer himself, Wortmann lives with wife Jennifer, a Ph.D. graduate in clinical psychology at UConn, in Arlington, MA.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach / STUDENT - ATHLETE SUCCESS PROGRAM
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- Pitching Coach / Recruiting Coordinator
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- Director of Football Operations
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- Assistant
- Coach
- Title / Assistant Coach
- UConn Lacrosse Team As an Assistant Coach
Kacie Lewis joined the UConn lacrosse team as an assistant coach for the 2018 season. Lewis, a 2013 UConn graduate, returns to the Storrs campus she called home as a member of the Huskies' lacrosse program from 2009 through 2013.
"I am extremely excited to have the opportunity to return to my alma mater and work with such a great staff," commented Lewis. "I truly enjoyed my playing experience at UConn and am looking forward to coming back to Storrs."
Lewis, who works primarily with the defensive unit, helped coach senior Cassis Ekstrom to IWLCA Second Team All-America status in 2018. Ekstrom, a captain, established herself as on of the top players in the country and added IWLCA All-Northeast Region First Team, BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year and All-BIG EAST First Team honors to her list of accomplishments.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Coach - Wide Receivers
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- Associate Head Coach
- Women 's Lacrosse Associate Head Coach
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- Assistant Director for Compliance Services
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- Assistant Athletic Trainer ( VB )
Job Titles:
- Coach
- Head
- Women 's Lacrosse Head Coach
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- Football Academic Coordinator ( Football, Women 's Tennis )
Job Titles:
- Associate Director of Donor Relations & Stewardship for Athletics
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- Assistant
- Coach
- Women 's Lacrosse Assistant Coach
Job Titles:
- Learning Specialist Director ( All Teams )
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director of Athletic Communications / Director of Women 's Lacrosse & Field Hockey Operations
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- Assistant Head Coach - Defensive Lin
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- Assistant Director of Creative Content / Social Media Manager
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- Associate Director of Athletics
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- Assistant Athletic Director for Events & Facilities
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- Director of Basketball Academics ( Men 's Basketball )
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- Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach ( Swimming & Diving, Softball )
Job Titles:
- Associate Director of Athletics / Ticket Operations
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- Senior Partnership Services Coordinator
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- Assistant Director of Graphic Design
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- Women 's Lacrosse Assistant Coach
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- Senior Director of Donor Relations & Stewardship for Athletics
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director of Video Services
Job Titles:
- Athletic Communications Assistant ( Track & Field / Cross Country, Tennis, Women 's Ice Hockey )
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director of Equipment Services
Job Titles:
- Director of Development Operations
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- Social Content Specialist
Job Titles:
- Director of Player Development
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director of Athletic Communications / Director of Softball and Men 's Soccer Operations
Job Titles:
- Video and Scouting Coordinator
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- Assistant Coach - Defensive Coordinator
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- Assistant Athletic Trainer ( FB )
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- Assistant Director of Equipment Services / Director of Women 's Ice Hockey
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- Tutor Coordinator / Asst. Learning Specialist
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- Associate Director of Athletics / Business Services
Job Titles:
- Assistant
- Coach
- Title / Assistant Coach
Max Major joined the UConn men's golf coaching staff in January, 2019, as an assistant coach.
Major, a 2018 graduate of Johnson & Wales University (Miami, Fla.) with a degree in Sports Management, helps head coach Dave Pezzino with all aspects of the men's golf program, including recruiting.
Major is a native of Rutland, Vt., and a product of Rutland High School, the same school that produced current UConn players Drake Hull, Jared Nelson and Logan Broyles. Major attended the University of Hartford for one year, where he played Division I varsity golf, before transferring to Johnson and Wales. At Johnson & Wales, Major played three years of NAIA golf, helping the team to a national No. 1 ranking in 2016.
Previous to his college career, Major played four years of varsity golf at Rutland High School, serving as team captain as a sophomore, junior, and senior. He also was a four-year varsity hockey player, serving as captain as a junior and a senior.
Job Titles:
- Associate Athletic Trainer ( WIH, TENNIS )
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director of Equipment Services
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director of Athletics / Ticket Operations
Job Titles:
- Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach ( Women's Cross Country / Men's and Women's Track & Field, Women 's Field Hockey )
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- Assistant Director of Sports Nutrition
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- Toscano Ice Forum Manager
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- Associate Athletic Director for Sports Performance ( Men's Hockey, Women 's Tennis )
Job Titles:
- Director of Business Services
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- Executive Associate Director of Athletics
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- Director of Creative Content for Football
Job Titles:
- Assistant Athletic Trainer ( FH, T & F )
Job Titles:
- Assistant Equipment Manager, Football
Job Titles:
- Director of on - Campus Recruiting
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- Executive Director of Football
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate Athletic Trainer ( XC / TRACK )
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- Associate Athletic Trainer ( FB )
Job Titles:
- Director of Men 's Basketball Administration
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director of Video Services, Women 's Basketball Content
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- Assistant Director of Athletics Travel
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- Executive Director of Football Administration
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- Associate Director of Cross Country and Track & Field
Job Titles:
- Director of Athletic Leadership
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- Athletics Development Coordinator - Strategy & Analytics
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- Director of Football Video Services
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- Assistant Athletic Trainer ( WLAX, FB )
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- Offensive Graduate Assistant
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- Assistant AD for Women 's Basketball Administration
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- Assistant Track & Field Coach
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- Assistant Director of Creative Content for Football
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- Associate Director of Football Strength and Conditioning
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- Assistant Coach - Run Game Coordinator / Linebackers
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- Associate Athletic Trainer ( MSOC, ROW )
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- Associate Director of Football Operations
Job Titles:
- Associate Athletic Director / Senior Director of Development
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director of Athletics for Sports Nutrition
Job Titles:
- Director of Men 's Basketball Creative Content
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- Director of Graphic Design
Job Titles:
- Assistant Athletic Trainer ( WSOC )
Job Titles:
- Associate Athletic Director / Development & External Relations
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- Assistant Academic Counselor ( Football )
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- Assistant Director of Athletic Events and Facilities
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- Director of Football Strength and Conditioning
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- Assistant Director ( Volleyball, Baseball, Women 's Swimming )
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director of Athletics / Complianc
Zach Zaback, who graduated from UConn in 2016 after a stellar four-year career, will assume the role of assistant golf coach while he pursues a master's degree at UConn.
Zaback, originally from Farmington, has played golf professionally since his graduation from UConn, gaining status on the PGA Tour Latinoamerica, the Mackenzie Tour-PGA Tour Canada, the Korn Ferry Tour, and in PGA Tour events, including the 2017 Travelers Championship, and the 2021 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines.
When he graduated in 2016, Zaback left as the leading all-time scorer in UConn golf history, averaging 73.9 per round in 46 college events. Excluding the current active players, he still ranks among UConn's top five all-time. He won three college tournaments, had 15 Top 10 and 24 Top 20 finishes, 41 rounds of par-or-better, and 16 sub-70 rounds.
Zaback was a two-time Connecticut State Amateur Champion (2014, 2016), a three-time Division I PING All-Northeast Region pick, a two-time All-Conference selection, an All-New England pick, and was named the 2014 Connecticut State Golf Association Player of the Year.