MURFREESBORO - Chowan University President, Dr. M. Christopher White, took time out of his schedule on Monday afternoon to meet with two of Chowan's head coaches and an athletic department administrator in recognition of three CIAA accomplishments during the 2009-10 academic year. Head Volleyball Coach Peter Green and Head Softball Coach Mandi Balduf were presented with a hand carved, olive wood Hawk from one of Dr. White's recent trips to Israel. White presented the Hawks to the coaches in recognition for bringing home the school's first CIAA conference championships in each of their respective sports. Meredith Long, the athletic department's SWA and Deputy Athletics Director, was also presented with a Hawk for being named the league's SWA of the Year. 

"I am very proud to recognize the efforts of Peter and Mandi and their teams in bringing home the school's first CIAA Championships," stated White. " I hope that there will be many more in place for them and our other sports teams at Chowan." 

CU Director of Athletics, Dennis Helsel, is equally as proud of his staff .

"The first year in the CIAA for all sports and our outstanding coaching staff came away with two conference championships.  That is certainly making your presence known," stated Helsel. "Peter and Mandi put recruiting and coaching together to create a product that now becomes the model for our other programs."

Green and the volleyball team grabbed the volleyball championship in a thrilling five-set victory over Fayetteville State last season. Karina Monroe was named the CIAA Rookie of the Year while four others earned All-CIAA honors. 

Balduf claimed the 2010 CIAA Softball Championship after beating Bowie State University, who had claimed the previous three championships coming into the tournament. The Hawks put four players on the All-CIAA team and freshman Fahren Munro was named the tournament MVP.

Long is entering her 12th year at Chowan. She oversees operations and athletic communications as well three sports and the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. In 2009 she helped to bring the NCAA's CHAMPS/Life Skills program to campus and is highly involved in the department's community service and community engagement efforts. She assisted the CIAA-SAAC with community service efforts at the CIAA Tournament the past two years.

"Chowan has known for sometime that Meredith Long's picture should be next to any definition of Senior Woman Administrator.  The CIAA made it official," stated Helsel.