Mike McCaffrey, left; Ryan Bolyn, right
FORT WAYNE, Ind.—The University of Saint Francis is pleased to announce that Athletic Director Mike McCaffrey has been elevated to Vice President for Student Life and Athletics, reporting directly to newly appointed Executive Vice President Sister Maria Gemma Salyer, OSF.
In addition, Ryan Bolyn has also been promoted to Assistant Athletic Director. Bolyn is entering his 22nd season as head softball coach and will remain in that role, too.
“I am delighted to name Mike as Vice President for Student Life and Athletics,” Salyer said. “Mike is a man of faith who has demonstrated his love for the university and his ability to lead with integrity. During his long career at Saint Francis, he has led our athletic department through its most successful period, both within competitions and in the classroom. He is the right person to guide the Student Life division through our next phases of strategic planning as a university. The respect he has from those that have worked closest to him is very evident and I have confidence that the division is in a great place under his leadership.”
McCaffrey was named the Cougars’ Athletic Director in 2011 after serving three years as Assistant Athletic Director under Mark Pope. He has been named to several leadership roles throughout the Crossroads League, Mid-States Football Association and the NAIA over the course of his career at Saint Francis. In his new position, he will oversee Student Life, Athletics, Residential Life, Public Safety, Dining Services, Student Success, Student Engagement, Mission Programming and the TRiO program.
“I am blessed, thankful and excited to begin this new journey at a place where I have spent the last 18 years,” McCaffrey said. “Sister Maria Gemma has been such a tremendous leader for our division and a mentor for me personally. I plan on keeping the vision and strategies intact so that we can continue the amazing work our Student Life team has been doing, while also engaging with our leadership on the overall focus and direction of Saint Francis into the future”
As Bolyn steps into his new role, Kelsey Passaglia will also continue as Assistant Athletic Director and Senior Woman Leader. Coaches and staff will strategically report to the two assistant directors, while Bolyn and Passaglia will report to McCaffrey.
“Ryan Bolyn is the longest-tenured head coach in our entire department and has been a valuable member of this university for over two decades,” McCaffrey said. “I have complete confidence that he and Kelsey Passaglia can provide the proper leadership and guidance for our coaches on a day-to-day basis going forward.”
Founded in 1890 in the Catholic Franciscan tradition, the University of Saint Francis offers more than 60 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs through the College of Health Sciences and the College of Arts, Sciences, and Business. In addition to its traditional programs, Saint Francis designs focused curricula for working adults in Fort Wayne, Crown Point, Lafayette and online. USF Downtown houses the music technology program while offering enhanced internship and networking opportunities for students. The University of Saint Francis, recognized as an NAIA Five-Star Champion of Character institution, has 21 athletic programs boasting three individual and four team NAIA national championships. More than 1,900 students from a broad geographic region attend Saint Francis.