Steve Roach, who has served as Indiana University of Pennsylvania's athletic director since December 2015, will be leaving IUP to serve as Executive Director of Athletics and Recreation at Texas A&M-Kingsville.
Roach has served in this role at IUP since December 2015, after a year as interim director of athletics.
“Steve has been everything that one could ask for in an athletic director,” IUP President Michael Driscoll said. “He has worked extremely well with coaches and student-athletes as well as all of our stakeholders. His work has always been in the best interest of not only the university and the program, but in the best interest of helping our students be successful in the classroom, in the community, and in competition."
“He has also done a nice job working with our advancement division, strengthening compliance and engaging his staff to grow professionally. We will miss him and wish him the absolute best of luck as he takes this next step in his career,” Driscoll said.
Prior to his role as interim director, Roach spent two years as the athletic department's associate director and compliance officer. He had been directing all aspects of NCAA and Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) rules compliance with the IUP Crimson Hawks and was directly responsible for all education programs, forms and documents required for national and conference membership.
“Steve has been instrumental in designing future strategic directions for IUP's Division II athletic program,” IUP Vice President for Student Affairs Rhonda Luckey said.
“Because of his fine leadership, building on IUP athletics' solid foundation of success, IUP is set to take meaningful and results-oriented steps to promote and enhance positive student-athlete experiences. He has been a valued member of our IUP Hawks family and will be sincerely missed!” Luckey said.
Roach will complete his tenure at IUP on September 21.
“I would like to thank President Driscoll and Vice President for Student Affairs Rhonda Luckey for the opportunity to return to IUP and the Indiana community over five years ago, and for providing the opportunity to serve as the director of athletics at this outstanding University and department,” Roach said.
“I have truly enjoyed the experience of working with the faculty, staff, coaches and student-athletes at IUP and feel as though we were able to continue the IUP tradition of providing a positive student-athlete experience. This University and community are filled with outstanding individuals, who continue to provide support to this University and department, and I have truly appreciated the opportunity to serve as director of athletics.”
Roach has been active in the community, serving as a volunteer with the United Way of Indiana County. He has been the PSAC baseball liaison since 2008. A 2001 criminology graduate of IUP, Roach returned to his alma mater after working for more than five years as the associate director of athletics at Millersville University. In addition to fulfilling his compliance duties at Millersville, Roach was the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) advisor, he served on the NCAA Division II Baseball Regional Advisory Committee from 2006 to 2008, and he was the sport supervisor for baseball, women's basketball, softball and women's volleyball. Roach earned his master's degree in sport management from Slippery Rock University in 2005. He also has a post-bachelor of science degree in sport management from California University of Pennsylvania (2010).
While a search is conducted for the athletic director position, Samantha Traver, currently assistant athletic director of compliance and Senior Woman Administrator, will serve as acting athletic director.
“We are indebted to Mr. Roach for all he has contributed to the exceptional athletic programs at IUP,” Charlie Fey, IUP interim vice president for student affairs, said. “He leaves IUP athletics much stronger than when he arrived. As acting director, his assistant, Samantha Traver, will provide the type of leadership that will keep IUP at the forefront of all national Division II athletic programs. We will immediately begin the process of searching for a permanent director, forming a search committee from across the community to conduct a national search for a worthy successor to Steve.”
As assistant athletic director, Traver directs all compliance matters, serves as liaison to IUP's Title IX coordinator and manages scholarships for IUP's 19 sports. She serves on a number of committees at IUP, including the Intercollegiate Athletic Compliance Committee, Athletic Gender Equity Committee, President's Athletic Advisory Committee and is co-chair of the Hall of Fame Committee. She also serves on committees for the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference and NCAA.
Traver earned two degrees from IUP: she is a 2010 IUP sports administration graduate and has a Masters of Business Administration degree from IUP (2012). She was a four-year member of the IUP softball team as an undergraduate. She is currently enrolled in the administration and leadership studies doctoral program at IUP.
“I am both humbled and excited for the opportunity to lead the rich tradition of success in IUP athletics,” Traver said. “I look forward to serving our student-athletes, department, and University community in my new role. I wish Steve the best of luck at Texas A&M Kingsville and would like to thank Dr. Driscoll, Dr. Fey, and Dr. Luckey for their unwavering support throughout this process.”
About IUP Athletics
IUP competes at the NCAA Division II level in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC). Its 19 varsity sports include baseball, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, field hockey, football, men's golf, women's lacrosse, women's soccer, softball, men's and women's swimming, women's tennis, men's and women's indoor and outdoor track and field, and women's volleyball.