Chris Kendall New V.P. for Student Development

Nikki Fennern New SMU Athletic Director

WINONA, Minn. — For Chris Kendall, it was time to move on — and up.

In early January, Kendall, the Saint Mary's University athletic director for the past four years, accepted the position as the university's vice president for student development.

In other words, Kendall was stepping down as athletic director to become the athletic director's boss.

I'm very excited for the opportunity (SMU president) Brother Craig (Franz) has given me to move into the vice president role," said Kendall, who, as vice president for student development, is responsible for all aspects of student life — including residence life, campus ministry, athletics, disciplinary issues, wellness and health services, intramurals, student activities, and campus safety. "I see a great opportunity to engage SMU students even more through integrating the efforts of athletics and student development."

And Kendall didn't wait long to make his first executive decision as vice present for student development, as he announced Monday that Nikki Fennern would step down as head fastpitch softball coach at the end of the current season to replace him as athletic director.

"Nikki brings with her to the athletic director position the best of both worlds," said Kendall. "She is very well-respected through her years of coaching, teaching and administrative work here at SMU, and, at the same time, she has an outside perspective, having played and received degrees from two other institutions."

Like Kendall, Fennern admits that the decision to accept a new position was a difficult one.

"I'm very excited about the opportunity to become the next athletic director at Saint Mary's," said Fennern, who was the Cardinals head fastpitch coach for the past six seasons, compiling a 142-59 record — including an MIAC championship in 2001, two regional appearances and a fourth-place showing the NCAA Division National Championships in 2001. "Chris has done a great job with the department and will be an outstanding leader for us as vice president for student development.

"We have a wonderful staff of talented and dedicated coaches, and it is an honor to help them and our department advance the missions of the university."

Now Fennern is placed in the same position Kendall was in when he hired her — she must now find a replacement for herself.

"I'm saddened that I will not have the opportunity to continue coaching softball," admitted Fennern, who noted that a search for her replacement will begin immediately. "However, I am comforted in the fact that tradition of a program lies within the players and the values they pass from one class to the next.

"I am confident that this program will continue to be successful because of the leadership and mentoring of the current players and the traditions that they will pass on to future Cardinal fastpitch student-athletes," continued Fennern. "I have the advantage of being able to hire by replacement, which gives me the ability to ensure our current student-athletes and our recruits that they will have the best coach available for their program."