As the students come back to campus for the new school year, Heidelberg Athletics welcomes many new faces for the 2025-26 season.

MEN'S BASKETBALL
This summer, Mike Summey was named the 21st head coach in program history. He arrives at Heidelberg with extensive experience, most recently serving as General Manager of the University of Utah Men's Basketball program. Joining him is new assistant coach Nick Mracek, a 2020 Bowling Green State University graduate. Mracek spent two years as a graduate assistant at Cleveland State University and most recently was an assistant coach at the University of Rio Grande.

MEN'S SOCCER
Michael Wright was named head coach on December 19, 2024. After playing in 40 games over three seasons at Fredonia State, he served as an assistant at his alma mater for one year before spending three seasons at the University of Mount Union, where he helped lead the Purple Raiders to the 2024 OAC Regular Season title. Wright's inaugural staff includes assistant coach Sean Tinney, a four-year player at Slippery Rock University who later coached at Westminster College for two seasons.

WOMEN'S SOCCER
Following a return to the OAC Tournament, head coach Madalynn McLaughlin adds Liz Cusato to her staff. A 2014 Binghamton graduate, Cusato has four years of collegiate playing experience, two years in the semi-professional ranks, and coaching experience at the semi-professional, collegiate, and youth/club levels.

LACROSSE
Entering his third season at the helm, head coach Ryan Sinnema welcomes a familiar face to the staff. Alex Bruder was promoted to assistant coach after two years as a graduate assistant. A five-year Heidelberg standout, Bruder earned All-OAC honors in 2022 and ranks third in program history in career goals, assists, and points, as well as third in career saves. He also holds the school record for lowest goals-against average.

FOOTBALL
Head coach Scott Donaldson adds four new members to his staff—one assistant coach and three graduate assistants.

Demetrius Briggs joins the program as defensive line coach. A former UNC Pembroke standout, Briggs played professionally in the National Arena League with the Carolina Cobra and most recently served as run game coordinator and offensive line coach for the Tucson Sugar Skulls of the Indoor Football League.

Andrew Munger, a 2025 graduate of Kalamazoo College, appeared in 30 games for the Hornets and served as their spring football intern in 2025.

Zacarius Murray arrives as a graduate assistant after four seasons at Upper Iowa, where he was a two-time All-GLVC defensive back, recording 150 career tackles.

Gunner Lesher, a 2025 Juniata College graduate, played four years at linebacker and concluded his collegiate career as a spring football intern.

CROSS COUNTRY / TRACK & FIELD
In his second year, head coach Daniel Simpson adds Andrew Cates to the staff. Cates brings experience from Vandalia-Butler High School, Adrian College, and his alma mater Wittenberg University. His coaching résumé includes several All-Conference athletes, five national qualifiers, and four high school state champions. He will also assist with Track & Field.

BASEBALL
Head coach Chad Fitzgerald adds Ben Weadock to the program. A 2025 graduate of Siena Heights University, Weadock played four seasons for the Saints, helping them reach two conference tournament appearances.

VOLLEYBALL
Jason Miller welcomes graduate assistant Kellyn Kennedy for the 2025–26 season. Kennedy, a four-year player at Elmhurst University, also brings two years of club volleyball coaching experience.

CHEER & STUNT
In her fourth season, head coach Courtney Neering adds graduate assistant Jenna Pagano. A University of Olivet graduate, Pagano competed in stunt and will assist in all aspects of the cheer and stunt programs.

SOFTBALL
Head coach Mari Briggs welcomes back program legend Gabbie Stallbaum as a staff member for the 2025–26 season. Stallbaum holds Heidelberg's career records for home runs, runs, and walks, and ranks in the program's top 10 for at-bats, batting average, RBI, hits, doubles, triples, and slugging percentage.

WOMEN'S WRESTLING
In the program's inaugural season, head coach CarrieAnn Randolph adds Alex Castro to her staff. Castro wrestled for four years at Siena Heights before returning there as a graduate assistant, where he helped coach an NAIA Championships qualifier.

MEN'S WRESTLING
In his 12th season, head coach Tony Patrizi rounds out his staff with Ryan Moore. A 2024 Thomas More graduate, Moore served as a graduate assistant in 2024–25, helping coach two NCWA National Finalists and four All-Americans. As an athlete, he spent two years at Cornell University and four at Thomas More, earning three NAIA National Finalist honors and the 2024 NCWA Championship.

ESPORTS
Entering his fourth season, head coach Ryan McDannell adds graduate assistant Rajah Conteh to the program following a successful 2024–25 campaign. A Full Sail University graduate, Conteh competed in esports while serving on the program's officer board. A versatile competitor, he has played at high levels in Super Smash Bros. and Puyo Puyo Tetris.

SPORTS INFORMATION
Jeff Garvin enters his 14th year as Director of Athletic Marketing and Sports Information and welcomes a new graduate assistant to the office. Olivia Buddelmeyer, an Elida, Ohio native, joins Heidelberg after serving as a strategic brand and engagement intern at the University of Cincinnati. She also contributed to UC women's soccer social media and assisted with football and men's basketball operations.