July 8, 2015 STONY BROOK, NY - Following a successful first year, Director of Athletics Shawn Heilbron has announced several promotions and a reorganization of the staff of the Stony Brook University Department of Athletics. In support of the recently announced five-year strategic vision for athletics, Together We Transform, this restructuring includes several promotions as well as a redistribution of responsibilities throughout the department.

Effective July 1, Donna Woodruff was promoted to Deputy Director of Athletics; Rob Emmerich was promoted to Senior Associate Athletic Director for External Relations; Patrick Muffley, Rachael Lyall, Adam McLeod and Courtney Rickard received promotions to Associate Athletic Director; and Chris Murray and Ze Zeon were promoted to Assistant Athletic Director.

“It is a privilege to work each day alongside such a talented group of staff and coaches who are committed to our vision of positively transforming the life of each student-athlete,” Heilbron said. “These promotions recognize the dedication and energy of several members of our team who have delivered exceptional results while taking on expanded roles within the department.”

Entering her 12th year at Stony Brook, Donna Woodruff will assume the title of Deputy Director of Athletics and continue as the senior most member of Heilbron's staff with oversight for the majority of the department's daily operations. In addition to sport oversight for Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball, Men's Soccer and Women's Lacrosse, Woodruff has added administrative oversight responsibilities for Financial Operations, Sports Medicine, Like Skills and Athletic Performance along with her continued oversight for Facilities and Event Operations, Student-Athlete Development, and Compliance. Woodruff will continue her role as Senior Woman Administrator (SWA) for the department as well as Deputy Title IX Coordinator and Campus Security Authority.

Rob Emmerich has been promoted to Senior Associate Director of Athletics for External Relations and assumed an expanded role in support of aggressive fundraising, marketing, ticketing and branding goals outlined as part of the department's five year strategic vision, Together We Transform. Emmerich will have oversight for all revenue generating opportunities for the department including primary responsibility for managing Seawolves United, corporate partnerships and alumni relations. Emmerich is completing his 18th year as a member of the Stony Brook Department of Athletics.

Patrick Muffley has been elevated to Associate AD for Championships and Sport Administration following four years as Assistant AD. In addition to current responsibilities for management of all conference and NCAA championship events, dining and housing services for student-athletes, and practice and game scheduling, Patrick has now also assumed oversight of equipment operations for all Stony Brook sport programs. Muffley also added sport supervision responsibilities for the baseball program to go along with his current responsibilities for the Seawolves' women's soccer, softball and tennis teams. Muffley represents Stony Brook on the America East Conference Committee on Championships and Competition (CCC).

Rachael Lyall has been named Associate AD for Financial Operations and Athletic Human Resource Administration and has assumed all daily responsibilities for the department's $28 million budget, all financial operations, human resource management and personnel issues. Lyall originally joined the Stony Brook Department of Athletics eight years ago as the Coordinator of Business Operations and was most recently in the role of Assistant AD for Business Operations and Administration.

Stony Brook alumnus Adam McLeod has also earned a promotion and assumed an expanded leadership role within the department as a member of the Senior Management Team. McLeod will assume the title of Associate AD for Facilities, Operations and Capital Planning after serving for the past four years as Assistant Director of Athletics for Event Operations. In his new role, McLeod has ultimate oversight for the daily operation of all Stony Brook facilities and events, oversees the department's facility and maintenance budgets, and is the primary contact for all new construction and renovation projects for the department.

Courtney Rickard has been promoted to Associate AD for Student-Athlete Development and Life Skills following 12 years as a member of the department. Rickard will continue to have primary oversight responsibilities for the Goldstein Family Student-Athlete Development Center and all aspects of the academic support services for Stony Brook's 435 athletes. In support of the primary vision to positively transform the life of all Stony Brook student-athletes, Rickard will also now be responsible for identifying and creating comprehensive innovative programming in life skills areas including career placement, student-athlete welfare, leadership development, community involvement, mentoring, financial management skills, sexual assault and violence prevention training, and stress/time management skills. Rickard will also add the role of Assistant Senior Woman Administrator (SWA) to her duties and will join the senior management team.

Chris Murray has been elevated to the position of Assistant AD for Athletic Marketing and will assume responsibility for developing and implementing a creative year-long marketing plan. Murray will focus efforts on increasing attendance at Stony Brook events and enhancing the fan experience. He will be the main contact for the newly created Seawolves Town which will provide football fans with a premier tailgating experience prior to home games.

Entering his third year on staff, Ze Zeon has assumed duties as the Assistant AD for Event Operations. Zeon will continue to be responsible for all operations during athletic and special events, including setup and breakdown and management of equipment. He will also manage all graduate assistants and student staff as well as oversee the event budget and operations of the new 4,000 seat Island Federal Credit Union Arena.