The month of January saw some changes in the Athletic Department. Jeff Miller resigned as Sports Information Director to take a position with the Major Indoor Soccer League’s Cleveland Crunch as Director of Media Relations. Miller, who had held the position since 1999, gave his notice in mid-January and baseball head coach Eric Lahetta stepped in as interim director on Jan. 28.
Lahetta will serve as director at least until July, as Oberlin’s current hiring freeze prevents searching for a permanent replacement. Lahetta will continue to coach baseball, but has left his position as Assistant Recreation Director, where he dealt largely with club sports. That void will be filled by Recreation Director Betsy Bruce and temporary workers.
“I’m still kind of feeling my way around right now,” Lahetta said of his new position. “It’s a good challenge for me.”
Juniors Zach Pretzer and Jon MacDonald had been working under Miller and are now easing Lahetta’s workload by covering some Sports Information office hours and recording statistics at athletics events.
“It’s something I enjoy doing,” Pretzer said.
In addition to keeping records of scores and statistics, the Sports Information Desk is responsible for maintaining Oberlin’s Athletics webpage and releasing Athletics publications and media statements. The position had reported to the College Relations office.
“We’ll revisit the position at the end of the year,” Athletics Director Michael Muska said. “If the position is unfrozen, [College Relations Vice President] Al [Moran] and I will discuss whether it makes sense to come back [to the Athletics Department] or stay with his office.” Muska also said that they would discuss whether to have Lahetta continue.
Asked if he would like to remain in the position beyond this semester, Lahetta said, “We’ll just have to wait and see. If the hiring freeze isn’t lifted, I’d like to continue. It’s something that I’m interested in.”