Eastern Michigan Athletics
Reifel Werner Named Interim Director of Athletics
4/2/2013 10:56:00 AM | General
Reifel Werner has been with EMU athletics since 1996
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – Eastern Michigan University has named Dr. Melody Reifel Werner Interim Director of Athletics, as announced by University President Dr. Susan Martin. Reifel Werner has served as the Associate Athletic Director and Senior Woman Administrator at EMU for the past 17 years after joining the department in 1996.
She will handle the day-to-day responsibilities of EMU's Athletic Department beginning on April 17, 2013, and oversee the 21 varsity sports and the more than 500 student-athletes and employees. Reifel Werner follows outgoing Director of Athletic, Dr. Derrick Gragg, who accepted a position of Vice President and Director of Athletics at Tulsa University on March 20, 2013. His last day at Eastern is April 16.
“I'm excited and honored that President Martin has asked me to serve as interim athletics director,” Reifel Werner. said. “EMU is a place that has meant so much to me and I strongly believe in the foundation we have created. My task, along with our coaches, staff, student-athletes and supporters is to continue the momentum we have established.”
The 56-year-old Reifel Werner has earned her bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees with honors from Eastern Michigan. She completed her bachelor's degree in marketing and communications in 1979 and her master's in organizational communications in 1998. She was awarded her doctoral degree in educational leadership at EMU in 2006. Reifel Werner is the author of Protecting University Integrity: Managing Risks in Intercollegiate Athletics.
Prior to joining EMU, Reifel Werner worked as an educational consultant for The Pace Group and as a training consultant for GTE.
She is the former Chair of the NCAA Research Committee and a former member of the executive committee of the National Association of Athletics Compliance (NAAC). She serves on the Advisory Board to the “College Athletics and the Law” publication, which provides guidance on athletics laws and regulations.
A national search for EMU's next director of athletics will commence soon.
She will handle the day-to-day responsibilities of EMU's Athletic Department beginning on April 17, 2013, and oversee the 21 varsity sports and the more than 500 student-athletes and employees. Reifel Werner follows outgoing Director of Athletic, Dr. Derrick Gragg, who accepted a position of Vice President and Director of Athletics at Tulsa University on March 20, 2013. His last day at Eastern is April 16.
“I'm excited and honored that President Martin has asked me to serve as interim athletics director,” Reifel Werner. said. “EMU is a place that has meant so much to me and I strongly believe in the foundation we have created. My task, along with our coaches, staff, student-athletes and supporters is to continue the momentum we have established.”
The 56-year-old Reifel Werner has earned her bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees with honors from Eastern Michigan. She completed her bachelor's degree in marketing and communications in 1979 and her master's in organizational communications in 1998. She was awarded her doctoral degree in educational leadership at EMU in 2006. Reifel Werner is the author of Protecting University Integrity: Managing Risks in Intercollegiate Athletics.
Prior to joining EMU, Reifel Werner worked as an educational consultant for The Pace Group and as a training consultant for GTE.
She is the former Chair of the NCAA Research Committee and a former member of the executive committee of the National Association of Athletics Compliance (NAAC). She serves on the Advisory Board to the “College Athletics and the Law” publication, which provides guidance on athletics laws and regulations.
A national search for EMU's next director of athletics will commence soon.
Eastern Michigan University Athletic Directors Through the Years
Wilbur Bowen - 1903-28
Joseph McCulloch 1931-47
Elton Rynearson 1948-63
F.L. "Frosty" Ferzacca - 1966-73
Dr. Albert E. Smith - 1975-76
Alex Agase - 1977-82
Paul Shoults - 1982-86
Gene Smith - 1986-93
Tim Weiser - 1993-97
Carole Huston (Interim) 1997-99
Dr. David Diles - 1999-05
Bob England (Interim) - 2005-06
Dr. Derrick Gragg - 2006-13
Dr. Melody Reifel Werner (Interim) - 2013-Present
Wilbur Bowen - 1903-28
Joseph McCulloch 1931-47
Elton Rynearson 1948-63
F.L. "Frosty" Ferzacca - 1966-73
Dr. Albert E. Smith - 1975-76
Alex Agase - 1977-82
Paul Shoults - 1982-86
Gene Smith - 1986-93
Tim Weiser - 1993-97
Carole Huston (Interim) 1997-99
Dr. David Diles - 1999-05
Bob England (Interim) - 2005-06
Dr. Derrick Gragg - 2006-13
Dr. Melody Reifel Werner (Interim) - 2013-Present
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