A Long Career of Success<\/strong><\/p>\nFollowing graduation, Folks worked in Maryville\u2019s athletic department for nearly 20 years. He rose through the ranks to become assistant director of athletics and head coach for women\u2019s soccer and softball, securing four conference titles and two conference tournament titles. He also served as the head women\u2019s basketball coach and sports information director. He was a two-time SLIAC Coach of the Year in both women\u2019s soccer and softball.<\/p>\n
Folks continued his successful career at Stockton University in New Jersey, where he worked for nearly 20 years as director of athletic operations, director of athletics and recreation and director for student affairs operations.<\/p>\n
Even during his time away, Folks remained an active alumnus, serving on the Athletics Hall of Fame Committee, joining the Duchesne Society, emceeing alumni trivia night, regularly attending Alumni Weekend activities and acting as an ambassador to encourage the involvement of fellow alumni.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve stayed involved because I had the opportunity to get an excellent education at Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵAPPand wanted to give back,\u201d says Folks. \u201cIf I\u2019m any good at all today, it\u2019s because of the opportunities that I had a at Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵAPPas a student and an employee.\u201d<\/p>\n
As he returns to Maryville, Folks looks forward to meeting student-athletes and getting to know them beyond their uniforms.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to know what motivates them and discover what I can do to encourage them to do their best,\u201d says Folks. \u201cI also want to get to know our staff and take my appropriate role on our professional team as we seek to have Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵAPPbe a program of significance, not only within the Great Lakes Valley Conference, but nationally.\u201d<\/p>\n
Having the perspective of a former student-athlete and employee makes Folks uniquely qualified to be Maryville\u2019s new athletic director.<\/p>\n
\u201cAny decisions I make in my new position simply adds support to this precious cargo,\u201d says Folks.<\/p>\n