INDIANA, Pa. — Cresson native Todd Garzarelli, a veteran leader with more than 20 years of experience in intercollegiate athletics, was named Indiana University of Pennsylvania director of athletics, IUP President Dr. Michael Driscoll announced Wednesday morning.

Garzarelli comes to IUP after spending the last two academic years in the same position at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. He has a background in athletic administration, serving in a leadership capacity at five schools for the last 14 combined years.

“Todd brings an incredible depth and breadth of experience to the athletic director position at IUP,” Dr. Driscoll said. “His record of success at so many diverse universities made him the favored candidate in a very strong pool, and position him well to continue the forward momentum of an already strong program. Under Todd’s leadership, IUP Athletics will be ready to move to the next level of success.”

Garzarelli is a Penn Cambria High School graduate.

“My family and I are excited to be headed back to western Pennsylvania and to become part of the IUP family and Indiana community,” Garzarelli said. “IUP athletics has had a rich tradition of academic and athletic success throughout the years and I am humbled and honored to serve as the next director of athletics of this great university and continue to build upon that tradition.”

While at Whitewater, Garzarelli served as an executive staff member of the Chancellor’s cabinet, providing leadership and guidance on university matters, with direct oversight of the division of intercollegiate athletics and campus recreation services.

Garzarelli joined Wisconsin-Whitewater in 2017 after spending the previous four years as the Senior Associate Athletic Director for External Affairs at the State University of New York at Buffalo.

Before arriving at Buffalo, Garzarelli served as associate athletic director for external affairs and director of the athletic association at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, La. He previously served as associate director of external affairs and major gifts at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, and as associate athletic director for marketing at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Ill.

Garzarelli earned a Bachelor of Science in sport management from Slippery Rock University and a Master of Science in sport management from Northern Illinois University.

Mount gets ‘Peak’ award

CRESSON — Mount Aloysius College won the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference “Peak Performance Award for Academic Excellence.”

The annual award is presented to the institution in this 10-college conference with the highest percentage of student athletes winning a place on the AMCC Academic Honor Roll This recognizes the important role of student athletes in the academic side of campus life.

The Mounties placed 62.23 percent of their student-athletes on the team.

Chambers honored

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. –Penn State men’s basketball coach Patrick Chambers was presented with the 2019 Champion Award, a national honor with the Coaches vs. Cancer program.

The annual award recognizes a collegiate coach who has shown extraordinary leadership and a commitment to support the American Cancer Society’s mission of saving lives, celebrating lives and leading the fight for a world without cancer. The award was presented during NCAA Final Four at the Guardians of the Game Awards Show in Minneapolis, Minn., Sunday.

Kasun has big match

WILSON, N.C. — Bishop Guilfoyle graduate Ben Kasun recorded 28 assists, seven digs, three kills and three service aces to lead the Barton College men’s volleyball team to a sweep of Lees-McRae Saturday.

Barton earned a share of the 2019 Conference Carolinas regular season championship. Barton (21-4 overall and 14-2 conference) will host the upcoming Conference Carolina playoffs (April 13, 17 and 18) with a trip to to the NCAA Division I-II national championships on the line.

Watt on second team

NORTH BOSTON, N.Y. — Penn State Altoona women’s bowling senior Nicole Watt (Bishop Guilfoyle) was voted to the second team of the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference’s All-Conference team, which was released on Tuesday.

Watt competed in all six events for the Lady Lions during the 2018-19 season. In traditional team format matches, she averaged a team-high 154.2 per game. In baker matches, Watt led the Lady Lions with a 16.13 baker average.