Athletics
Athletics Appoints New Head Coaches and Staff Leaders
Muskingum University welcomes new head coaches and staff leaders to the Athletics Department.
Kelly Broderick has been named Women’s Basketball Head Coach. She comes to Muskingum after serving as women’s basketball head coach for Medaille College and for Finger Lakes Community College. She coached multiple players to all-conference and academic all-conference honors, founded Medaille’s Leadership Academy, and was twice named Mid-State Athletic Conference Coach of the Year while at Finger Lakes. She earned her Associate Degree in liberal arts and humanities from Finger Lakes and her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and Bachelor of Arts degree in Mathematics from Nazareth College.
Laina Walker Connor '16 returns to Muskingum as Softball Head Coach. She previously served as softball head coach at Juniata College, where her team set several top ten program records; as assistant coach at Denison University; and as a graduate assistant at Westminster College. While a student at Muskingum, she was a four-year member and team captain of the softball team and helped lead the Muskies to their 19th Ohio Athletic Conference Championship and the NCAA Regional Final in 2014. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Management and Marketing. She is married to Matt Connor ’14.
Head Women’s Soccer Coach Dani Gunderson has been named the Athletic Department’s Senior Women’s Administrator. In this additional role, she will represent Muskingum at Ohio Athletic Conference league meetings, provide leadership in the areas of student-athlete and staff development, and serve on the Muskingum Athletic Leadership Team. Now in her third season coaching the Muskies, she has led multiple players to recognition with conference and academic all-conference honors. She currently plays for the Columbus Eagles semi-pro soccer team and holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from Christopher Newport University.
Blake Hartford takes the helm of the Golf program as Head Coach of Men’s and Women’s Golf. During his playing career at NCAA Division II Texas A&M-Commerce, he helped lead the team to a Southland Conference Championship and earned First Team All-Southland Conference accolades. He has served as a Youth Golf Instructor with the Summit Golf Academy and won the 2020 Houston Amateur Championship and the 2022 Zanesville District Golf Association Amateur title. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and his Master of Business Administration degree from Texas A&M-Commerce.
Jake Krupar ’20G returns to Muskingum as Baseball Head Coach. He previously served as an Assistant Coach for the Muskies with responsibilities including recruiting coordinator, head JV coach, and strength and conditioning coordinator. He also served as an Assistant Coach for Butler University and Baldwin-Wallace University, and as Director of Player Development for Wofford College, where he helped lead the team to its first-ever Southern Conference Championship. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Toledo and his Master of Education degree from Muskingum.
Justin Linzy ’14G has been named Director of Athletic Facilities and Recreation Operations. He previously served as head coach of track & field at Allegheny College and Olivet University. He earned his Master of Arts degree in Adult Education from Muskingum and his Bachelor of Arts degree in Sport Management from Ohio Northern University. While attending Muskingum, he was a graduate assistant for the men's and women's track & field and cross country programs and was part of the Muskie staff honored by the Ohio Athletic Conference as 2012 Cross Country Staff of the Year.
Nathan Wahle has been appointed Men’s Basketball Head Coach. He has served collegiate Men’s Basketball programs as assistant coach and associate head coach for Wittenberg University and as assistant coach for DePauw University and Doane University. He helped lead both DePauw and Wittenberg to post-season success. During his tenure at DePauw, they reached the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) Tournament Final Four and during his tenure at Wittenberg, they won two NCAC regular-season championships, two NCAC Tournament championships and made three NCAA Tournament appearances. He holds a bachelor's degree in Sport Management from Bowling Green State University.
Congratulations to all!
