WOLFVILLE, N.S. - With one of the most successful recent seasons coming to an end, Executive Director of Athletics and Community Events is pleased with not only the Acadia Athletics performance of having all teams participating in AUS championships and seven of 10 teams taking part in the U SPORTS National championship stage, but also ensuring the success of the programs continue with the re-signing of a full-time coach and four part-time coaches.
"We had a tremendous Fall Sports season, so to have all five coaches for a number of years speaks to the stability of our Program which I think is critical in success and building a culture in any organization. It's also an indication of how great a fit these coaches are at Acadia", said Executive Director of Athletics and Community Events Kevin Dickie.
Coming off of an AUS championship season, football head coach Jeff Cummins remains at the helm of the Axemen for another three seasons. Cummins was named the AUS and U SPORTS Coach of the Year after the Axemen posted a 6-2 record.
Four fall sports part-time coaches will return for 2018 including soccer's Amit Batra and veteran Findlay MacRae. Both coaches currently hold full-time positions with Acadia University and are commended for their work with their respective soccer programs. MacRae was named the AUS and U SPORTS Coach of the Year in 2016. Batra's Axewomen have been a finalist for four of the last five seasons.
Ralph Williams, head coach of the women's cross country team, had a banner season, posting a third place team finish at the AUS championships hosted by Acadia this past year. Williams will return for a sixth season in the fall of 2018.
Veteran Axewomen Rugby head coach Matthew Durant will return to lead the Axewomen in the 2018 season as host of the U SPORTS women's rugby championship November 1 – 4. Durant was named the U SPORTS and AUS coach of the year in 2013 and helped capture Acadia's first AUS championship in 2015.
"I'm so fortunate as the Athletic Director to have individuals like Findlay, Amit, Matt and Ralph give so much of their time, passion and expertise to our student-athletes. They are truly outstanding coaches and better people. And obviously having a veteran coach like Jeff returning to maintain and build on what has already been a tremendous career, is significant for our Department. When it's all said and done, Jeff's legacy both here at Acadia, and in Canadian University Sport will be something special," noted Dickie.
The Fall sports schedules are available now to view online at their respective team websites.