CoffeeBreak is an e-newsletter distributed to Averett faculty and staff to keep them up-to-date on campus activities and information. Please send information you would like included in CoffeeBreak via this form by 4:30 p.m. Friday, July 28, for a Wednesday, Aug. 2, publication.
Athletics Welcomes New Strength and Conditioning Coach, Athletic Trainers
Samuel Roome has joined the athletics staff as its head strength and conditioning coach. Roome, an alumnus of Averett, returns to campus after serving as the assistant strength and conditioning coach at Division II Catawba College beginning in January 2016. While at Catawba, he designed and integrated weight training programs for a number of the college’s athletics programs.
Prior to Catawba, Roome was an intern strength and conditioning coach at Division I University of North Carolina at Charlotte from August 2015 to December 2015, and held the same position at Division I Robert Morris University from May 2015 to August 2015. He also served as an intern strength and conditioning coach at Mount Pleasant High School, his alma mater, where he also helped as an assistant junior varsity and varsity coach for football and basketball. Roome has USAW-L1 and Functional Movement Systems certifications.
A native of Concord, N.C., Roome played two seasons of football at Averett after transferring from UNC Charlotte. An offensive lineman, Roome garnered USA South Academic All-Conference honors both seasons. Roome earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education with an emphasis in personal training from Averett in 2015. He is currently pursuing his master’s in business administration with a concentration in leadership.
Brian Benitez has been promoted to assistant athletic trainer. Benitez had served as an athletic training graduate assistant since August 2016. He also has his USAW-L1 and Functional Movement Systems certifications.
A native of Southwest Ranches, Fla., Benitez joined the athletic training staff after graduating from Averett with his bachelor’s degree in athletic training in the spring of 2016. After joining the athletic training staff following his graduation, Benitez primarily worked with the football, baseball and softball teams while assisting other sports.
He gained valuable training experience in his time as a student at Averett, working with the university’s football, baseball and men’s and women’s basketball programs. Adding to his resume, Benitez also assisted several local high schools, including Chatham, Bassett and Dan River high schools, where he worked with their softball and baseball teams.
Benitez was a four-year member of the Averett men’s soccer program and a team captain. He appeared in 48 games, making 34 starts and scored three career goals — including two game-winners. During his playing career, he earned USA South Academic All-Conference honors.
Miranda Magadanz has joined the athletics staff as an athletic training assistant. A native of Madison, Wis., Magadanz gained experience as a student trainer at the University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh for more than four years. She is BOC certified and also received CPR/AED certification.
Magadanz earned her bachelor’s degree in athletic training from Wisconsin-Oshkosh in May 2017. She is currently pursuing her master’s degree in business administration from Averett.
GPS Student Spotlight
Throughout the month, the Graduate and Professional Studies (GPS) admissions team interviews and highlights our GPS students. We hope you will enjoy learning more about these amazing members of our Averett family!
Today, meet Jaimie Hardy, who is pursuing her Bachelor of Science in sociology with a minor in business administration. She is expected to graduate in 2017.
What is your motivation for obtaining your degree? “The biggest motivation for obtaining my degree is to better myself from a career standpoint.”
Why did you choose Averett’s Graduate & Professional Studies Program? “I chose Averett’s GPS Program because I wanted to be able to work a full-time job while I was completing my degree.”
Please share one tip for your fellow classmates and future AU students. “One tip for my fellow Averett classmates, especially in the GPS program, is that you must be your own motivator. The GPS program is significantly different from the traditional on-campus classes. If you stay motivated and on top of your assignments and due dates, you’ll be fine.”
What helps to keep you motivated while you are in the program? “One thing that helps keep me motivated is the fact that I’m paying for my education on my own.”
Football Tickets are Now on Sale!
Are you ready for football season? Do you have your Averett football tickets reserved? Do you have a parking spot? If you have answered no to any of the previous questions, we have all the information you need! Football tickets are now on sale. Season tailgate and parking spaces are $25 each. Reserved seat season pass is $60. Spaces are filling up fast. Click here for the full details. If you have any other questions or would like to make a purchase, contact Bren Taylor at (434) 791-5677 or [email protected].
Save the Date: August Opening
This year’s Opening of the Year Kick-Off session for faculty and staff will be held in the Grant Center on North Campus on Thursday, Aug. 17, at 3 p.m., and will include important University updates, pinning of new faculty and staff members and a special guest speaker to highlight the Averett Experience. Following the presentation, you’ll move into an engaging, interactive journey that’s linked to our upcoming Homecoming theme, “There’s No Place Like Home!” inspired by The Wizard of Oz. You’ll follow the Yellow Brick Road – a path with stops along the way, showcasing some of the many new and innovative initiatives at Averett.
Following the opening session, President Franks and Joe will host a picnic for you and your families (to include dinner and children’s activities), which will begin at 5:15 p.m. Please look out for the email invite to RSVP for yourself and the number of family guests you will be bringing (significant others, children) by Thursday, Aug. 9. We can’t wait to see you all there!
Opening Convocation
It’s getting closer! Staff members are invited to participate in the 2017 Opening Convocation academic procession on Tuesday, Aug. 22. In order to participate in the exercises, you must have received at least a graduate degree and have the proper regalia. If you would like to participate, please email Mary Sullivan at [email protected] by Friday, Aug. 4.
