August 25, 2015

Las Vegas, NV - August 18^th 2015, six days before the 2015 fall semester begins at CSN and standing outside lecture hall C-133 there's a mix of familiar voices reuniting with old teammates and a sense of tension and nervousness of the new incoming freshman still learning their roles on their given teams.  Quickly  they're all in a trance as they listen to Dexter Irvin the CSN Athletic Director go over student athlete orientation and what it means to be a student athlete.  The pressures of a full schedule (15 credit hours), practice, weight training, work, and don't forget to take in and enjoy being a college student.  During the orientation they learn all the services offered to them as a CSN students and how they will be successful, then Dexter goes into the highlights of the past season and the direction the program is headed. 

The Women's softball team now has a locker room on campus, complete with individual lockers and a study hall area with several computers, and all the necessary tools for a student-athlete to have success.

The CSN Baseball team won the SWAC Conference, the Region 18 Tournament, and came within two wins of a NJCAA World Series appearance.
 
"Now the really exciting part," Dexter says with an excitement in his voice, "Athletics has plans for a  softball field,  two soccer fields, artificial turf for the baseball field, an athletics club house, and the addition of Men's and Women's soccer."  As Irvin goes into detail about the time lines and what's in the clubhouse here are some key dates. 

Fall of 2015 will be the inaugural season of the Coyote Volleyball team as they begin play at the end of August.  The players are all excited to be part of the first ever volleyball team and are committed to creating a solid foundation in which to grow a successful program. 

A new softball field is set to break ground in October of 2015 with a completion date of spring 2016.  This will give the Lady Coyotes a permeant home field, and not a city park and recreational field they now call home. 

Artificial turf for the baseball field is set to begin in the spring of 2016.  This effort will save thousands of dollars for the program and support CSN's efforts in water conservation. 

Men's and Women's Soccer will begin play in the fall of 2016.  The construction for the soccer fields and clubhouse do not currently have a start date, but plans are to begin within two years.

The school has not only committed to athletic facilities, they are committed to the internal administration infrastructure as well.  Athletics now has a full time Athletic Academic Advisor, Kevin Altman, who is crucial for the success of the student athletes focused on keeping them on track for graduation. 

The program has also been assigned an Athletic Development Coordinator, Terry Cottle, tasked with the goal of fundraising for athletics.  Fall of 2015 will also see the implementation of the Coyote Booster Club to aid in raising funds for the program. 

As orientation comes to an end, you can hear the excitement come back into Dexter's voice as he expresses to the returning, and new athletes that, "they are part of a new culture, and the future of CSN Athletics." 


 

 
Development Coordinator for Athletics – Terry Cottle   

Mr. Cottle comes to CSN from the University of Nevada Las Vegas, where he began as an offensive coach for UNLV Football.  During his tenure at UNLV Mr. Cottle was a liaison for the Rebel Football foundation, Director of Community Relations in sports marketing, Associate Director of Sports Marketing, Women's Track and Field, Cross Country, Baseball, and Men's/Women's Tennis. 

He will join CSN's Athletics Program, as a full-time employee and begin fundraising activities immediately. Cottles experience in fundraising will play a key role in the success of the Coyote Golf Tournament, Coyote Booster Club, and the expansion of athletics. 

"I am very excited to be a part of the CSN family and assist in the growth and development of CSN Athletics to benefit the local athletes who want to continue their student-athlete experience here in Southern Nevada."

Cottle graduated from Saint Mary's College with a Bachelor of Arts in California Health, Physical Education, and Recreation.  He continued his education at UNLV where he obtained a Master of Arts Health in Physical Education and Recreation.

CSN Athletics Director Dexter Irvin had this to say, "We are very fortunate to have Terry Cottle at CSN.  Terry has a treasury of experience and friendships developed over the years in Las Vegas that enhances his ability to assist CSN Athletics." "TC is a class individual who brings so much to our table.  He has strong family ties and as a former coach, he understands the needs of our programs.  Terry possesses the work ethic and enthusiasm to make things happen for our student athletes at CSN."
 
 







Head Coach Men's Soccer – Geoffrey Hawkins

College of Southern Nevada Athletics Director Dexter Irvin has named Geoffrey Hawkins as the inaugural head coach of the CSN Men's Soccer team.  "Geoff has extensive experience in both club and intercollegiate soccer.  Having completed many of the professional licenses necessary to coach soccer, and having played both professionally and collegiately, Geoff has a tremendous success story for our young men," Irvin said.

Hawkins is currently serving as the President of the Las Vegas Mobsters, the USL Premier Development League.  The Las Vegas Mobsters are part of a 60 team soccer development league across the United States and Canada which serves as a stepping stone for top professionals.  The Major League Soccer draft is comprised of over 70% of PDL players.

Hawkins is also the founding partner in the Hawkins Melendrez Law Firm. 

"I'm very excited about the new soccer program and the overall direction of the Athletic Department at CSN.  The program will help address the increasing demand for student athlete opportunities here in the valley," said Hawkins.  

He will join CSN's Athletics Program, as a part-time employee and begin recruitment and team development activities immediately. The CSN Men's Soccer team is expected to begin competing in the fall 2016 semester and will bolster CSN's efforts to expand their athletic program and encourage more student athletes to compete and attend CSN.

Hawkins graduated from Humboldt State University with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and attained a Juris Doctorate from Marquette University Law School. While attending Humboldt State University, Hawkins played four years for the Lumberjacks and was part of the 1994 NCAC Championship team.  

Irvin added, "His strength and passion for the game will permeate not only with our soccer programs but with our other programs as well.  Geoff Hawkins and CSN soccer will have a strong impact on soccer in the Las Vegas valley and in the state of Nevada."








 
Head Coach Women's  Soccer – Jennifer Schultz

College of Southern Nevada Athletics Director Dexter Irvin has named Jennifer Schultz as the head coach of the CSN Women's Soccer team.  "Jennifer brings a ton of experience and enthusiasm into our women's soccer program. Coach Schultz has played at a very high level both collegiately and professionally and has extensive experience working with local soccer coaches and teams," Irvin said.
 
Schultz who is involved in numerous soccer camps, clinics, and technical training for teams and individuals brings her vast coaching knowledge to CSN.  Schultz, a local Green Valley High School graduate, played a year at Dixie College before heading to the English Women's Premiere League where she played for Doncaster Belles/Rovers. 

"I am beyond excited to take the field during the Fall 2016 soccer season. Until then I will do my best to find quality young women who want to seize the opportunity to continue playing soccer here in Vegas. I believe there is quite a bit of local talent who might not have the means to play at larger institutions but will thrive at CSN. I'd like to be competitive our first year but it's more important for me to build a solid foundation for future seasons to come, said Schutlz."
 
Schultz will join CSN's Athletics Program, as a part-time employee and begin recruitment and team development activities immediately. The CSN Women's Soccer team is expected to begin competing in the fall 2016 semester and will bolster CSN's efforts to expand their athletic program and encourage more student athletes to compete and attend CSN.

Irvin added, "She is a great teacher of skill and being a Green Valley graduate, Jennifer will relate well with the all the local students that will have an opportunity to stay in Vegas, attend college and play collegiate soccer."  "I look for Jennifer to be a leader in the development of programs for young women in Las Vegas, and for CSN Women's soccer to be a groundbreaker for educational opportunities for many years ahead."


 



About the College of Southern Nevada Athletics:
The College of Southern Nevada Coyotes have competed in intercollegiate athletics NJCAA Division I since 1999. CSN owns one national championship in men's baseball (2003-NJCAA Division I), two Western District Championships (2003, 2010-NJCAA Division I), four Region XVIII Championships (2003, 2008, 2010, 2015-NJCAA Division I), and eight SWAC Championships (2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2013. 2015-Division I).
 

About CSN:
Founded in 1971 and educating thousands of students a semester, the College of Southern Nevada (csn.edu) is the state's largest and most ethnically diverse higher education institution. CSN students can choose from 180 degree and certificate options in more than 100 areas of study, including more than 25 degree and certificate programs available entirely online. Students create flexible, personalized schedules, including day, evening, and weekend classes taught on three main campuses and multiple locations throughout Southern Nevada. CSN — your future starts here. CSN is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution. For more information, visit http://www.csn.edu/nondiscrimination