Jodie Holava named Director of Athletics at DC

June 5, 2018

DEFIANCE, Ohio - Jodie Holava, head softball coach at Defiance College, has assumed the role of Director of Athletics entering the 2018-19 academic year after serving as the interim athletic director for one season.

She has served as the head softball coach for 13 seasons, as well as assistant athletic director from 2014 until 2017 when she was promoted to associate athletic director. She will continue her role as head softball coach.

Defiance College has also announced the promotions of head baseball coach Derek Woodley to assistant athletic director, while interim softball co-head coach Kaycee Butt will now serve as an associate head coach for the DC softball program.

"These three individuals are committed to excellence for Yellow Jacket athletics. Not only are they doing great work with their individual teams, they see how important athletics is to student development, success, and discipline," said Defiance College President Richanne C. Mankey. "Student athletes at D-III institutions like Defiance College are first and foremost academic students. AD Holava and her administrative team understand this fully."

"I want to thank Dr. Mankey for this opportunity to continue to work with the talented and dedicated student-athletes, coaches, and staff,” said Holava. “I appreciate Defiance's tradition of academic and athletic excellence and the important role athletics plays in the overall student experience. It is truly an honor, and I am beyond excited. The future of Yellow Jacket athletics is bright, and I look forward to being a part of its growth."

Holava is the winningest coach in softball program history with 251 career victories and has guided the Yellow Jackets to three Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Championships and finished among the top three in final standings in NCAA regionals. The 2017 HCAC Coach of the Year is also active across the Defiance campus serving as a member of numerous academic and student life committees, as well as previous teaching experiences.

Holava earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Mount Union in athletic training with a minor in health and secondary education. She holds a master’s degree in education from Cleveland State University. Before coming to Defiance, she was assistant softball coach at Notre Dame College of Ohio.

Woodley is no stranger to the role of assistant athletic director as he served as the co-interim athletic director for the Yellow Jackets during the 2009-2010 school year and the interim assistant athletic director this past season. Before coming to Defiance, Woodley served as the athletic director at Bethany Lutheran for two full years and the intramural director. 

Coach Woodley will also remain head baseball coach for 2019 where he enters his 12th season. The 2013 Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Co-Coach of the Year is the third coach in program history to surpass 50 career wins. 

Butt, a DC alumnus, enters her eighth overall season with the Purple and Gold after serving as the interim co-head coach last season. 

During her coaching career with the Jackets, she has helped guide the team to two Conference Tournament appearances as well as top tier finishes among the HCAC in each of its last two seasons.

Defiance College, chartered in 1850, is an independent, liberal arts-based institution in Northwest Ohio offering more than 40 undergraduate programs of study as well as graduate programs in education and business. Defiance College has received national recognition for its educational experience of service and engagement. The college website is www.defiance.edu.