The Oakland University Athletic Department has hired Chris Meny to fill the newly created position of Assistant Athletic Director for Athletic Performance.

Meny’s main responsibility will be overseeing the three departments that play key roles in student athlete care: sports medicine, strength and conditioning and nutrition. The position will have a variety of other responsibilities including the supervision of each sport, contacting physicians, physical therapists and other medical personnel.

Holly Kerstner, the Assistant Director of Athletics for Student-Athlete Services, is very supportive of the creation of this new position.

“I believe it is essential for the coordination of care,” Kerstner said. “The three areas that affect student-athlete well-being will be working as one area, monitored and managed by one person.”

A search committee comprised of a combination of coaches, student-athletes, administration and medical personnel was created to interview potential candidates. It was announced Wednesday, Oct. 1 that the search committee had found their candidate and that Meny would begin work Wednesday Oct. 8.

Meny stood out among the other candidates during the interview process. He comes to Oakland from Lafayette College in Pennsylvania, where he spent six years as the associate athletic trainer.

Meny thinks his experience as director of athletic performance with the PDL soccer team, the Jersey Express, will help him at Oakland. Meny has a great deal of experience with high-level athletes that he thinks will help him with the student-athletes here at Oakland.

He feels he understands the mentality and commitment it takes to compete at a Division I level. He hopes to use his knowledge to help with the issues facing our student-athletes.

“I have a desire to take the science of performance and integrate it into an everyday model for our student-athletes,” Meny said.

The search committee shares in Meny’s confidence. John Musachio, Oakland head baseball coach, was on the hiring committee that interviewed the potential candidates.

“I feel Mr. Meny will be outstanding at his position due to his ability to communicate effectively, lead from a platform of high ethical standards and his creativity,” Musachio said.