Aug. 1, 2007

Erie, Pa. - The Mercyhurst College athletic department has announced two promotions and the hiring of a coach. Tony Cipollone, who was the wrestling coach and assistant athletic director, has been named the full-time associate athletic director and director of compliance. Former West Liberty State coach Michael Wehler has been named the new wrestling coach, effective immediately. As well, softball coach Sara Headley has added the title of assistant athletic director.

The announcements complete the transition of the athletic administration since long-time Athletic Director Pete Russo announced his retirement in June and Associate Athletic Director Craig Barnett was promoted to the position on July 26.

Cipollone is the only wrestling coach in the history of the Mercyhurst program, beginning in the 2001-02 season. He added the title of assistant athletic director for student services in the summer of 2006.

"I am extremely excited to be a part of the new athletic administration at Mercyhurst College," Cipollone said. "The experience I have gained during the past three years, as I became more involved in administration, will enable me to do the job and learn within it."

With a 66-41-1 career record, Cipollone quickly built the program into a regional and national power. He was the chairman of the NCAA Division II Wrestling Rules Committee and served as the academic advisor for the athletics department, overseeing the school's Student Athletic Advisory Committee.

Cipollone wrestled at Baldwin-Wallace and earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees from the school. He was inducted into the Baldwin-Wallace Athletic Hall of Fame in 2004.

"I am excited to continue my working relationship with Tony," Barnett said. "It is a big move for a coach to leave the profession, but he has opened up new challenges for himself that he will receive a lot of satisfaction from."

As Cipollone steps aside from wrestling effective immediately, Wehler has been named as his successor. Wehler spent the last three years as the wrestling coach at West Liberty State, coaching four Division II All-Americans, 12 national qualifiers, and 21 Academic All-Americans. His 2007 squad placed at the NWCA National Duals and he has an overall dual meet record of 27-20. His team handed Mercyhurst a 25-13 defeat at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center a year ago.

"I would not have given up the wrestling position without knowing that my replacement would carry on the tradition I helped to start," Cipollone said. "Mike is a great coach and our wrestlers have great respect for him. He wins with class, and the Mercyhurst community will see that from the moment he steps foot on campus."

Barnett echoed those sentiments.

"Mike's enthusiasm and passion for teaching young men about life and wrestling is second to none. He is a natural replacement, and we are confident that he will continue to grow the Mercyhurst wrestling program both on the mats and in the classroom."

Prior to his time at West Liberty State, Wehler was a graduate assistant coach at North Carolina at Pembroke in Pembroke, N.C. He was also the head wrestling coach at Hollidaysburg Area Senior High in Hollidaysburg, Pa. from 2000-02 and an assistant coach at Williamsport High School in Williamsport, Pa. from 1999-00.

Wehler wrestled at NCAA Division I Lock Haven from 1995-99 where he wrestled at 118 and 125. He was named to the Dean's List four times and received his bachelor's degree in health and physical education in May of 2000. He then earned his master's degree in physical education from North Carolina at Pembroke and will complete his doctor of education in physical education teacher education from West Virginia in the fall of 2008.

"Tony built an outstanding program here," Wehler said. "He is a great ambassador for NCAA wrestling, and it will be great to have him here as a resource. We have everything we need at Mercyhurst to have a strong, winning program."

In addition, Headley will add the title of assistant athletic director to her position as softball coach. She has been the coach for four years with a 76-97-1 career record. The 2007 squad won the most games in program history, finishing 23-23 and going 11-9 in Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) play.

"Sara brings outstanding organizational skills and a passion for Mercyhurst athletics to her new additional role," Barnett said. "She will help improve our overall athletic department and communication efforts with our coaches."

Headley graduated cum laude from Robert Morris in 1999 with a degree in business administration/sport management. She then went on to earn her master's degree in business administration from Augusta State University in May of 2001.

"I am looking forward to working with Craig and the rest of the Mercyhurst athletic staff," Headley said. "I am honored to have been offered this position."

Headley will take over the role of overseeing the Student Athletic Advisory Committee and will be involved with event management.