University of Northern Iowa Athletics
UNI Athletics promotes 4 Panthers, naming SWA, assigning sport administration duties
9/12/2022 9:32:00 AM | General
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa - UNI Athletics Director David Harris has promoted four staff members that includes designating a new senior woman administrator and assigning new sport administrative duties.
Stacia Eggers will take over as UNI's senior woman administrator (SWA). Ben Messerli has been promoted to senior staff and sport administrator, and the Office of Student-Athlete Development (OSAD) will be under new direction with the promotion of Andrea Greve Coello. Kelly Destival was promoted to associate athletic director for business.
"Stacia, Ben, Andrea and Kelly have gone above and beyond the scope of their duties with UNI Athletics," said Director of Athletics David Harris. "These leadership opportunities help us continue a strategic direction for our department and serve our student-athletes."
Eggers will move out of the day-to-day responsibilities of OSAD but will continue to have oversight of the unit along with strength and conditioning and athletic training. In her new role as Senior Woman Administrator, she also will serve as the sport administrator for women's basketball, volleyball, men's and women's track and field, cross country and softball.
Eggers was the senior associate athletics director for student services. She also served as the liaison to the Intercollegiate Athletics Advisory Council (IAAC) and has co-chaired the Athletics Department's Re-Opening and Resocialization Committee throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Under her direction, UNI student-athletes have had a higher grade point average than the general student body for the past 25 consecutive semesters. UNI student-athletes also completed more than 4,000 hours of community service last year, which is the highest on record.
"Stacia has been instrumental in carrying out the goals and objectives of the Panthers Rising strategic plan aimed at setting up our students up for success," said Harris. "Her experience and foresight will serve UNI Athletics well as her role expands to oversee programs and promote equity within Division I athletics."
Eggers earned her bachelor's (family services) and master's (postsecondary education: student affairs) degrees from UNI. She and her husband, Travis, have two daughters, Kiaya and Peyton.
Eggers replaces Christina Roybal, who accepted a position as vice president and director of athletics at Northern Kentucky University.
"David has continued to challenge me throughout my career in Athletics, and I'm so thankful for his support," said Eggers. "I'm honored to be able to continue to work with an amazing team and serve the student-athletes as they reach their goals in the classroom and in competition."
Greve Coello has been promoted to associate athletics director to replace Eggers and will assume the director role for OSAD, which includes athletics academic advising and the life skills program.
"Andrea has developed programming and addressed the diverse needs of our student-athletes at critical times," Harris said. "She is a self-starter who motivates those around her. I am confident in her ability to not only continue the work that was started in that office but expand on its success and reach."
Greve Coello was the assistant athletics director of student-athlete development and inclusion.
In alignment with UNI Athletics' strategic plan, which is titled Panthers Rising, Greve Coello shifted from her role as academic advisor and life skills coordinator to assistant athletics director for student-athlete development & inclusion in October 2021.
Her expanded role included a focus on diversity and inclusion efforts designed to create an atmosphere that respects differences and encourages social change, and new oversight of the Varsity Club, a membership organization for former student-athletes.
She continues to advise the volleyball, softball, women's basketball and swimming/diving squads for their academic needs. Additionally, she oversees the Panther Life Skills programming, which includes the development and implementation of programs to meet the personal and professional needs of all UNI student-athletes.
"I am looking forward to the opportunity of leading the Office of Student-Athlete Development's day-to-day efforts to support our student-athletes," said Greve Coello. "I am fortunate to be part of a great team."
Greve Coello earned her bachelor's in family services from UNI in 2011 and her master's in gerontology from the University of South Florida in 2014. As an undergraduate at UNI, she served as an academic coach and tutor. She and her husband, Elard, have two daughters, Lee and Quinn. The family lives in Waterloo.
Messerli has been promoted to associate athletics director for compliance and sport administration and to senior staff. In addition to his compliance responsibilities, he will serve as the sport administrator for men's and women's golf, tennis, soccer and swimming and diving.
"Ben has been extremely valuable in helping UNI Athletics navigate the ever-changing landscape of college athletics with rule and regulation changes," Harris said. "His ability to identify opportunities and pitfalls for student-athletes and the department has been vital to UNI's success. He adds a level of expertise to the department that makes him an excellent administrator."
Messerli is set to begin his ninth year at UNI.
"I want to thank David for giving me the opportunity to step into new leadership roles within the department," said Messerli. "I look forward to being an active member of UNI Athletics' Senior Staff and having sport oversight here at UNI. I am excited to work with our student-athletes, coaches, and staff in a variety of new ways. I am fully committed to helping all members of the Panther family excel in all components of the UNI experience. Additionally, I look forward to continuing to lead the Compliance Department, especially in the era of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL)."
Messerli earned his bachelor's in business administration from Wartburg College in 2010 and his master's in sport management from the University of Tennessee in 2012.
Prior to his time at UNI, Messerli was a member of the compliance departments at the University of North Dakota and the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga. He and his wife, Jess, reside in Cedar Falls with their two daughters, Blayke and Parker.
Destival has been working in the UNI Athletics business office since 2008. Her responsibilities include daily management of the athletic department's business operations, including travel management and procurement, while also coordinating the department's human resources.
"Kelly takes on a myriad of responsibilities and is the perfect Panther to welcome our new employees," Harris said. "Her varied background with Athletics and love for this institution is a tremendous asset to our department. She has earned the respect of her peers and was recently selected as our Panther of the Year based on nominations from UNI Athletics staff. It was a much-deserved recognition based on years of exemplary service to our department."
Prior to her new role as associate athletic director of business, Destival was assistant athletics director for business. Destival got her start at UNI Athletics as athletic development coordinator in 2000, where she was responsible for the management of the annual fund drive, coordination of member benefits, and special events. Destival was promoted to director of the PSC after serving more than three years as athletic development coordinator at UNI.
"I appreciate David's support in allowing me to grow in my role here with UNI Athletics," Destival said. "I look forward to continuing working with a great staff and student-employees in supporting our student-athletes."
A native of Luxemburg, Iowa, she received her bachelor's degree in business administration from UNI in 2000. During school, Destival worked in the athletic business office and was responsible for managing the gift-in-kind program and maintaining the licensing program.
She and her husband, Micah, have two sons, Drew and Breyden. The family resides in Dike.
The newly assigned positions are effective Sept. 1.
Stacia Eggers will take over as UNI's senior woman administrator (SWA). Ben Messerli has been promoted to senior staff and sport administrator, and the Office of Student-Athlete Development (OSAD) will be under new direction with the promotion of Andrea Greve Coello. Kelly Destival was promoted to associate athletic director for business.
"Stacia, Ben, Andrea and Kelly have gone above and beyond the scope of their duties with UNI Athletics," said Director of Athletics David Harris. "These leadership opportunities help us continue a strategic direction for our department and serve our student-athletes."
Eggers will move out of the day-to-day responsibilities of OSAD but will continue to have oversight of the unit along with strength and conditioning and athletic training. In her new role as Senior Woman Administrator, she also will serve as the sport administrator for women's basketball, volleyball, men's and women's track and field, cross country and softball.
Eggers was the senior associate athletics director for student services. She also served as the liaison to the Intercollegiate Athletics Advisory Council (IAAC) and has co-chaired the Athletics Department's Re-Opening and Resocialization Committee throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Under her direction, UNI student-athletes have had a higher grade point average than the general student body for the past 25 consecutive semesters. UNI student-athletes also completed more than 4,000 hours of community service last year, which is the highest on record.
"Stacia has been instrumental in carrying out the goals and objectives of the Panthers Rising strategic plan aimed at setting up our students up for success," said Harris. "Her experience and foresight will serve UNI Athletics well as her role expands to oversee programs and promote equity within Division I athletics."
Eggers earned her bachelor's (family services) and master's (postsecondary education: student affairs) degrees from UNI. She and her husband, Travis, have two daughters, Kiaya and Peyton.
Eggers replaces Christina Roybal, who accepted a position as vice president and director of athletics at Northern Kentucky University.
"David has continued to challenge me throughout my career in Athletics, and I'm so thankful for his support," said Eggers. "I'm honored to be able to continue to work with an amazing team and serve the student-athletes as they reach their goals in the classroom and in competition."
Greve Coello has been promoted to associate athletics director to replace Eggers and will assume the director role for OSAD, which includes athletics academic advising and the life skills program.
"Andrea has developed programming and addressed the diverse needs of our student-athletes at critical times," Harris said. "She is a self-starter who motivates those around her. I am confident in her ability to not only continue the work that was started in that office but expand on its success and reach."
Greve Coello was the assistant athletics director of student-athlete development and inclusion.
In alignment with UNI Athletics' strategic plan, which is titled Panthers Rising, Greve Coello shifted from her role as academic advisor and life skills coordinator to assistant athletics director for student-athlete development & inclusion in October 2021.
Her expanded role included a focus on diversity and inclusion efforts designed to create an atmosphere that respects differences and encourages social change, and new oversight of the Varsity Club, a membership organization for former student-athletes.
She continues to advise the volleyball, softball, women's basketball and swimming/diving squads for their academic needs. Additionally, she oversees the Panther Life Skills programming, which includes the development and implementation of programs to meet the personal and professional needs of all UNI student-athletes.
"I am looking forward to the opportunity of leading the Office of Student-Athlete Development's day-to-day efforts to support our student-athletes," said Greve Coello. "I am fortunate to be part of a great team."
Greve Coello earned her bachelor's in family services from UNI in 2011 and her master's in gerontology from the University of South Florida in 2014. As an undergraduate at UNI, she served as an academic coach and tutor. She and her husband, Elard, have two daughters, Lee and Quinn. The family lives in Waterloo.
Messerli has been promoted to associate athletics director for compliance and sport administration and to senior staff. In addition to his compliance responsibilities, he will serve as the sport administrator for men's and women's golf, tennis, soccer and swimming and diving.
"Ben has been extremely valuable in helping UNI Athletics navigate the ever-changing landscape of college athletics with rule and regulation changes," Harris said. "His ability to identify opportunities and pitfalls for student-athletes and the department has been vital to UNI's success. He adds a level of expertise to the department that makes him an excellent administrator."
Messerli is set to begin his ninth year at UNI.
"I want to thank David for giving me the opportunity to step into new leadership roles within the department," said Messerli. "I look forward to being an active member of UNI Athletics' Senior Staff and having sport oversight here at UNI. I am excited to work with our student-athletes, coaches, and staff in a variety of new ways. I am fully committed to helping all members of the Panther family excel in all components of the UNI experience. Additionally, I look forward to continuing to lead the Compliance Department, especially in the era of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL)."
Messerli earned his bachelor's in business administration from Wartburg College in 2010 and his master's in sport management from the University of Tennessee in 2012.
Prior to his time at UNI, Messerli was a member of the compliance departments at the University of North Dakota and the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga. He and his wife, Jess, reside in Cedar Falls with their two daughters, Blayke and Parker.
Destival has been working in the UNI Athletics business office since 2008. Her responsibilities include daily management of the athletic department's business operations, including travel management and procurement, while also coordinating the department's human resources.
"Kelly takes on a myriad of responsibilities and is the perfect Panther to welcome our new employees," Harris said. "Her varied background with Athletics and love for this institution is a tremendous asset to our department. She has earned the respect of her peers and was recently selected as our Panther of the Year based on nominations from UNI Athletics staff. It was a much-deserved recognition based on years of exemplary service to our department."
Prior to her new role as associate athletic director of business, Destival was assistant athletics director for business. Destival got her start at UNI Athletics as athletic development coordinator in 2000, where she was responsible for the management of the annual fund drive, coordination of member benefits, and special events. Destival was promoted to director of the PSC after serving more than three years as athletic development coordinator at UNI.
"I appreciate David's support in allowing me to grow in my role here with UNI Athletics," Destival said. "I look forward to continuing working with a great staff and student-employees in supporting our student-athletes."
A native of Luxemburg, Iowa, she received her bachelor's degree in business administration from UNI in 2000. During school, Destival worked in the athletic business office and was responsible for managing the gift-in-kind program and maintaining the licensing program.
She and her husband, Micah, have two sons, Drew and Breyden. The family resides in Dike.
The newly assigned positions are effective Sept. 1.
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