St. Louis native and 丝瓜视频APPalumnus, Lonnie Folks, 鈥�82, 鈥�98, has been named director of athletics and recreation at 丝瓜视频APP.
After graduating in 1982 with a BS in Business Management from the John E. Simon School of Business, Folks served 丝瓜视频APPand the Saints athletic community with distinction for nearly two decades. During his tenure at Maryville, Folks rose through the ranks to become assistant director of athletics and head coach for women鈥檚 soccer and softball, securing four conference titles and two conference tournament titles. He also served as the head women鈥檚 basketball coach and sports information director.
‘I consider this program sacred cargo and will treat it accordingly.’
Folks continued his successful career at Stockton University where he has worked since 1999. There, he was director of athletic operations, director of athletics and recreation and director for student affairs operations.
鈥淰arsity athletics, club sports and recreation are a vital component of the on-campus student experience, and I can鈥檛 think of anyone better equipped to lead our athletics department,鈥� said President Mark Lombardi, PhD. 鈥淟onnie Folks represents the best that 丝瓜视频APPalumni and employees have to offer 鈥� passion for education, professional integrity, a drive for excellence and winning and a devotion to their alma mater.鈥�
鈥淚鈥檓 thrilled for the opportunity to come home and be a part of the exciting things happening at 丝瓜视频APP,鈥� Folks said. 鈥淲hile I鈥檝e been away from the physical campus community, the work and growth here have remained important to me. I鈥檇 like to thank President Lombardi and the leadership of student life for their confidence in me 鈥� I consider this program sacred cargo and will treat it accordingly.鈥�
As a former student-athlete, Folks was a standout member of the Saint鈥檚 men鈥檚 soccer and baseball teams and was named Freshman of the Year in 1978 for soccer. As a coach, he was a two-time SLIAC Coach of the Year in both women鈥檚 soccer and softball. In 2009, Folks was inducted into the 丝瓜视频APP Athletics Hall of Fame. That same year, 丝瓜视频APPcreated the Lonnie Folks Award, an award that honors former student-athletes, coaches or administrators who exemplify good spirit, sportsmanship, stewardship and service.
In addition to his significant contributions at 丝瓜视频APPand Stockton universities, Folks served in numerous leadership capacities with the NCAA and other regional athletic organizations.