Seward County Community College athletics will move ahead under the leadership of a new interim director of athletics — one with a familiar face. Trustees appointed Roy Allen to the position, after discussion in executive session, at the regular May meeting Monday night.

Dustin Ormiston presented the motion, with a second from Casey Mein, to amend a portion of SCCC Board Policy 613, on nepotism. The policy, which previously prohibited job applicants from direct or indirect supervision of an immediate family member, would have presented a conflict for Allen, whose spouse, Thais Baziquetto-Allen, is head volleyball coach.

In his first motion, Ormiston proposed removal of the term “indirect.” The board voted unanimously to approve the policy change.

In a second motion, Ormiston, again seconded by Mein, moved to hire Roy Allen as the interim director of athletics, and to move Thais Baziquetto-Allen to directly report to Vice President of Student Services Celeste Donovan. As defined by the newly amended Policy 613, routine, indirect supervision of Thais Baziquetto-Allen by her spouse would be permissible. This motion also passed unanimously.

College president, Dr. Ken Trzaska, said the decision heralds a positive approach to the college’s current climate of athletics, which has been marked in equal parts by radical change and high achievement.

“Roy brings a sharp and unwavering intelligence around conference rules and dynamics,” Trzaska said, noting the details are ever more important as the Jayhawk conference absorbs the impact of recruitment and scholarship policy changes. On campus, athletics is also in a state of transition.

During the 2016-17 academic year, women’s sports at SCCC accumulated shining successes. The men’s and women’s tennis teams continued to gain momentum with national rankings and championships. The men’s basketball team recently turned over a new leaf, with the hiring of head coach Jason Sautter and continues the search for an assistant coach.

Trzaska pledged to work closely with Allen to facilitate positive and constructive changes envisioned for athletes, coaches, and the community.

“We’re equally excited about the opportunity for collaboration and partnership between athletics and the rest of campus,” said Trzaska, noting that such relationships are imperative to launch the next generation of Seward athletes.

Speaking for the administrative team, Trzaska said, “Roy has our full support, and we are excited for him as he begins his new leadership role as interim director of athletics.”

Allen takes on his new duties immediately. The Sports Information Director position, reporting to Allen, will be posted and begin taking applications.

Check out the most current employment listings on the SCCC website.

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