Wingate, N.C.----Wingate University vice-president and director of athletics Steve Poston announces the appointment of Michelle Caddigan as associate athletic director for internal operations.
 
The University received a grant from the NCAA Division II Strategic Alliance Matching Grant Enhancement program to help fund the position. Caddigan will officially begin her new duties on Sept. 1, 2012. She will remain head softball coach until the coaching position is filled.
 
“I’d like to thank (Wingate president) Dr. Jerry McGee and Mr. Poston for this wonderful opportunity,” Caddigan says. “I am really excited and grateful to be able to continue my career at a place I love so much. I am honored to have been the softball coach at Wingate…I am now looking forward to the new challenges that will come with this position.”
 
“As our athletic program has grown over the last 10 years, we have added teams and student-athletes who participate (on these teams),” Poston says. “It is time we added an additional staff member to the administrative team.”
 
Poston had specific plans for the position. “My idea for the position was to allow us to enhance the student-athlete experience through several avenues,” Poston says. “We are fortunate to have someone with Michelle Caddigan’s experience level and commitment to student-athletes…join our administrative team.”
 
Caddigan’s primary responsibilities will include game administration and event management, sport supervision, budget oversight and student-athlete welfare. She will continue to serve as the school’s Senior Woman Administrator. In addition, Caddigan will be the advisor for Wingate’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
 
“Wingate’s athletic department is outstanding,” Caddigan says. “I am so fortunate to continue in this role with such an incredible group of administrators, staff, coaches and student- athletes.”  
 
Caddigan spent 16 seasons as Wingate’s head softball coach. She compiled a 529-265-3 overall record (155-79 in the South Atlantic Conference). She guided the Wingate program to two SAC regular season championships (1999, 2009), seven second-place finishes, four third-place finishes and three conference tournament titles (1999, 2003 and 2006) during her 16-year Wingate coaching career.

Under Caddigan’s tutelage, the Bulldogs reached the NCAA Division II play-offs in 2003, 2006 and 2009. Wingate finished in third place or better 13 of her 16 Bulldog seasons. In addition, Wingate won at least 30 games in 13 of her 16 campaigns. She coached All-American Mandi Chester, 18 NCAA Division II All-Region selections and 64 All-SAC performers.

Caddigan reached the 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300 and 350-win plateau quicker than any other softball coach in South Atlantic Conference history. Among active NCAA Division II softball coaches, Caddigan is ranked in the top 30 on the NCAA Division II charts in winning percentage and wins.
 
Her 2006 squad will be remembered as one of the most decorated teams in South Atlantic Conference history. The Bulldogs filled several trophy cases with their 2006 accomplishments. Wingate set a new school single-season win record with a 47-11 overall ledger (11-3 SAC). The 47 wins included two victories in the NCAA Division II South Atlantic Regional tournament.

“We are very appreciative for Michelle’s 16 years as our head softball coach,” Poston says. “Her successes are well-documented…and without question they are a great foundation for her successor. In years past, she has provided administrative support on a volunteer basis. We believe this position is a natural progression in her professional development.”
 
Caddigan approached Poston with the grant application idea. “Michelle expressed interest (in making the move to) athletic administration,” Poston says. “We were able to secure the NCAA grant…which encourages women and/or minorities to make the move to administration.”

“This is a great professional opportunity for Michelle,” Poston says. “This position fills a need for us as well. Her coaching background will be a great asset to her in the athletic administration setting. She understands the challenges (coaches) will face…and she will give them a supportive ear in working through those challenges.”
 
“Michelle has been a tremendous mentor for the players she has coached,” Poston says. “I am pleased she will be able to share the same support to all our student-athletes. This position will enhance our ability to serve both our coaches and our student-athletes.”
 
WINGATE UNIVERSITY
 
Founded in 1896, Wingate University is a comprehensive university with more than 2,500 students on three campuses in Wingate, Matthews and Hendersonville, N.C. The university offers 34 undergraduate majors, 37 minors and career concentrations, numerous pre-professional programs, graduate degrees in business, accounting, physician assistant studies and sports administration and doctorates in pharmacy and education.
 
Wingate students gain the tools and support they need to excel in academics and apply that learning toward an extraordinary career and life. The campus community offers in-class learning, out-of-class experiences, strong mentors, a competitive yet caring environment and rewarding community service opportunities for a complete educational experience.
 
Bulldog student-athletes compete in 19 NCAA Division II sports. Wingate University has won the South Atlantic Conference Echols Athletic Excellence Award for the past six years.
 
Wingate University is ranked number three among NCAA Division II Academic All-America® producing schools in the 2000’s with 42 honorees during this millennium. Only Pittsburg State (Kan.) University and Truman State (Mo.) University have produced more Academic All-America® honorees during this time period. Wingate’s 51 Academic All-America® honorees (lifetime) is tops among all SAC schools.