KRAFTICK NAMED ATHLETIC DIRECTOR AT CUMBERLANDS

University of the Cumberlands is pleased to announce Chris Kraftick as the school’s new Athletic Director (AD). In this position, Kraftick is responsible for directing Cumberlands’s 26 athletic teams, 20 head coaches and more than 700 student-athletes.

“Chris is an outstanding leader who has already made significant contributions to this university,” said Dr. Larry Cockrum, President of University of the Cumberlands. “He has a strong vision for ensuring our athletic programs continue to thrive and is committed to helping our student-athletes and coaches achieve success both on and off the field.”

Prior to becoming Athletic Director, Kraftick served for nine years as the head coach for UC’s men’s and women’s golf teams. Under Kraftick’s leadership, both programs improved considerably. The men’s team won six of the last eight conference championships, while the women’s team won five straight conference titles and placed in the top five in the last three national championships. Additionally, over half of the ladies on last season’s team had 4.0 grade point averages.

“It’s been a tremendous honor to lead our men’s and women’s golf programs,” said Kraftick. “Our players have worked incredibly hard to reach the level at which they are performing today.” Kraftick added, “I’m most proud of how far we’ve built the women’s program. It’s now one of the top programs in the country.”

Over the last several years, Kraftick has been involved with administrative responsibilities of the athletic department, including overseeing game management and serving as the NAIA Champions of Character liaison for UC. Kraftick worked alongside outgoing AD, Randy Vernon, who retired at the end of June after 37 years with Cumberlands.

“Chris has done a great job as our head men’s and women’s golf coach, and his assistance in helping me with many of our athletic department events has been great,” said Vernon. “I feel good about where our athletic department is now, and I believe it will only get better with Chris in charge.”

As with any leadership change, Kraftick brings new ideas and energy to the job at hand. Kraftick wants to invigorate the campus culture by bringing more student involvement and energy to athletic events.

“Our facilities are great, our academics are great and our school is in a good position,” said Kraftick. “We’ve got this perfect storm coming together. We want to build upon our tremendous success and increase the sense of pride in our school and among our athletic teams.”
Kraftick is a graduate of Wilmington College in Ohio.

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For the latest and most up-to-date information on University of the Cumberlands Athletics, please visit www.cumberlandspatriots.com.

Story courtesy of UC Multimedia/Athletic Services