Mike Avery Named Director of Athletics

Calumet College of St. Joseph Senior Vice President Johnny Craig announced Monday that Mike Avery will lead the Crimson Wave athletic department as its Director of Athletics.

"We are extremely excited about what Mike will bring to CCSJ athletics. His leadership and communication skills will drive our vision forward. He has been an educator and coach for more than 30 years. I know our coaching staff and student-athletes will benefit from his experience," said Craig.

"I am humbled and honored to have been given this opportunity to lead CCSJ Athletic Department, and I want to thank President Amy McCormack, Senior Vice President Johnny Craig, and all the members of the search committee," said Avery.

Avery comes to CCSJ after serving as the men's soccer coach at Valparaiso University, an NCAA Division I program in Valparaiso, IN. He led the Crusaders for 14 seasons, including Horizon League Regular Season Championship in 2011, while also earning Coach of the Year honors. During Avery's tenure at Valpo, he produced 35 All-Conference players along with 18 student-athletes earning Academic All-Conference honors.

Before joining the Crusaders, Avery was at the University of Notre Dame, where he spent six seasons as the team's top assistant. While with the Fighting Irish, the program won the Big East Championship in 2004 and finished in the NCAA Sweet 16 twice.

Avery got his start in collegiate coaching at Bethel University, a fellow NAIA program, in 1994. He was the head soccer coach for 4 seasons. In 1997, a transition to California State University, San Bernardino gave him his first NCAA program. He led the Coyotes through a transitional period as the department moved from NCAA Division III to II.

Avery graduated from Westmont College with a B.A. in Physical Education Pedagogy in 1990 and then earned his M.S. in Kinesiology from Midwestern State University in 1992. He has put his education to use outside of his athletic duties as faculty at Bethel, California State San Bernardino and Valparaiso University.

"I was drawn to the mission of the CCSJ, and the college's message of "You Belong" resonated with me in a very special way. Much of my life has been devoted to athletics - with the last 30 years of my career as a college soccer coach - and I know that sport provides us a unique vehicle to teach, and to learn, life lessons that go well beyond the field or the court. Who I am today is a direct result of my time as a college athlete. I am very much looking forward to providing our student-athletes with the same exceptional and life-changing experience that I was fortunate enough to receive all those years ago. I know CCSJ has the coaching staff, support staff, faculty, and university leadership that shares that vision with me, and I can't wait to get started," said Avery.