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Steffen Named Interim Athletic Director at EMU

Greg S. Steffen has been appointed interim director of athletics at Eastern Mennonite University, effective immediately.

Kenneth L. Nafziger, vice president for student life at EMU, announced Steffen's appointment.

"Greg Steffen possesses the organizational skills and an ability to work with his colleagues to maintain positive momentum and continuity for the athletic department," Dr. Nafziger said.

Steffen, head women's soccer coach at EMU, will fill the role vacated on Oct. 22 by Larry R. Martin, who was athletic director for three years. He will serve in the position through June 30, 2005.

As athletic director, Steffen will oversee the 17 intercollegiate sports programs at EMU. He will also serve as a liaison between EMU and the Old Dominion Athletic Conference as well as the National Collegiate Athletic Association

"I'm excited to have the opportunity to serve as interim athletic director at EMU for the next seven months," Steffen said. "I enjoy working with my colleagues in the athletic department. We are dedicated to working together as we strive toward nurturing life-changing athletic experiences for the quality student-athletes at EMU.

"My goals during this period are to assist the coaches in recruiting the best athletes that fit a Christian university like EMU, leading athletes to excellence in their sport and providing an educational experience that prepares them for future success," he added.

Steffen will remain as head coach of the women’s soccer program at EMU. In six seasons, he has led the Lady Royals to a 61-44-5 record overall, 37-27-3 in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. In 2004, the team had a record of 6-11-1 overall and 4-7-1 in the ODAC. He has guided the program since its inception in 1999.

Steffen played four years of collegiate soccer as a defender. He started his career at Hesston College where he earned NLCAA All-America honors. After earning his associate of arts Degree from Hesston, Steffen moved on to Goshen (Ind.) College to pursue a bachelor of arts degree. He was named All Mid-Central Conference in 1988.

After graduating, Steffen moved to Kidron, Ohio where he coached the boy's soccer squad at Central Christian High School for nine years. He arrived in Harrisonburg in 1999 to serve as women’s soccer coach at EMU while also completing a masters degree at Eastern Mennonite Seminary.

Nafziger has begun a national search for a permanent athletic director with an anticipated starting date of July 1, 2005.

— article by: Kevin Warner, sports information director; posted November 15, 2004