Western New England College
Athletics Department Staff

2004-05 Athletics Staff. Front (from left): administrative assistants Michelle Luciano, Joanne Bovat, head athletic trainer Kim O'Leary, athletic trainer Sarah Kelly, and administrative assistants Eileen Stockhamer and Joan Kotfila. Back (from left): equipment manager Norm Leclerc, athletic trainer Mike Vallee, assistant athletics director Cyndi Costanzo, athletics director Mike Theulen, assistant athletics director Joe Sassi, equipment supervisor Lori Mayhew, and athletic communications director Ken Cerino.

Michael Theulen, director of athletics, men's basketball coach [e-mail]

Michael Theulen is in his seventh year as the director of athletics at Western New England College. He joined the Golden Bears staff in 1998 after 15 years at Springfield College, where he served as a professor of physical education and men's basketball coach for eight seasons.

Starting with the 2004-05 season, Mike will take over as the new men's basketball coach at Western New England College.

Under Mike's direction, the athletics program at Western New England has quickly developed into one of best in New England. The spirit and excitement among the student-athletes representing the 19 Division III varsity sports teams is at an all-time high.

Western New England College has participated in 13 NCAA Division III Championships and captured 19 Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Tournament titles since Mike arrived on campus. Five student-athletes have been selected to the national Verizon Academic All-America Team.

Mike also has been responsible for the success of the Downes Athletic Hall of Fame, the Golden Bear Club, the annual National Girls and Women in Sports Day celebration, and the popular Athletics Department Golf Classic, which is held in the fall.

Mike was elected 2004-05 Vice-President of the National Association of Division III Athletic Administrators at the NCAA Convention. He served as the commissioner of the GNAC during the 2001-02 school year.

Mike also was member of the NCAA Division III Men's Basketball and Men's Golf Committees.

A native of Keene, New Hampshire, Mike graduated from Keene State College in 1980 with a bachelor of science degree in physical education. He was a standout basketball player for the Owls and played for his father, Glenn. Mike received his master of science degree in physical education administration from the University of South Dakota in 1981, and his doctorate in physical education at Springfield College in 1983.

Mike coached the women's basketball team at Springfield from 1983-86, compiling a 41-33 record. He was named Northeast-10 Conference Coach of the Year in 1984, after his team finished with a 20-5 record.

Mike was named assistant men's basketball coach in 1986, and served in that role for four seasons. He took over the struggling program as head coach in 1990, and within three years, had restored Springfield as one of the region's top programs.

Springfield compiled five straight winning seasons, including the last three years where the Pride won over 20 games. The Pride posted a 26-2 record in 1997-98 that was best mark ever in the school's 89-year history, and participated in its third straight NCAA New England Regional. Mike's men's coaching record was 132-83 for a 61.4 winning percentage.

Mike lives in West Springfield with his wife Midje, and their two children, Zachary and Jessica.

Joe Sassi, associate director of athletics [e-mail]

Now in his seventh year as a member of the athletics administrative staff, Joe Sassi was promoted to associate director of athletics at Western New England College effective September 1, 2004.

Joe received his bachelor of science degree from the University of Rhode Island in 1985, and his master of science degree from Springfield College in 1991.

Joe served as a graduate assistant for the Springfield College men's basketball team under Mike Theulen from 1989-91, and was an assistant men's and women's basketball coach from 1992-95, as well as an instructor in physical education.

Joe and his wife, Dorothy reside in Springfield with their daughter Megan.

Cyndi Costanzo, assistant director of athletics [e-mail]

Cyndi Costanzo is in her tenth year as a member of the Western New England College administrative staff and third year as assistant director of athletics. She also serves as the NCAA senior woman administrator, and director of the wellness, intramurals, and recreation at the College.

Cyndi is the physical education curriculum coordinator and an instructor in physical education. Cyndi is a 1988 graduate of the University of Connecticut where she earned her bachelor of science degree in athletic training. She also received her master of arts degree in biophysical science from UConn in 1990.

Beginning with the 2004-05 school year, Cyndi will serve as a coordinator for the athletics department's NCAA CHAMPS/Life Skills program.

Cyndi resides in Ellington, Connecticut with her husband Paul (the chairperson of the marketing department at Western New England) and their twins, James and Emily.

Ken Cerino, Director of Athletic Communications [e-mail]

Ken Cerino is in his fifth year as the Western New England College director of athletic communications. He is responsible for publicizing the college's highly-regarded 19-sport athletics program, and serves as editor of all athletics publications and manager of the athletics web site.

Ken previously served as the sports information director at Springfield College for 14 years (1986-2000). He was also the SID at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1979-86), Siena College (1974-77), and was the first SID for women's athletics at Iowa State University (1977-79).

A native of Wappingers Falls, New York, Ken was inducted into the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Hall of Fame in 1996. He was the recipient of the CoSIDA "Warren Berg Award" for outstanding achievement in sports information in 1992, the same year he received the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) "Irving T. Marsh Award" for contributions and support of the ECAC Service Bureau.

Ken received the 2001 All-American Football Foundation Elmore "Scoop" Hudgins Lifetime Sports Information Director Award at the organization's banquet in Hyannis, Massachusetts.

Ken was a member of the CoSIDA Board of Directors for five years (1988-93) and past president of the ECAC Sports Information Directors Association during the 1982-83 school year. He also served as an assistant press venue chief for fencing at the 1984 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Ken is a member of the U.S. Basketball Writers Association and the John Wooden Men's Basketball Player-of-the-Year Committee

Ken is a 1974 graduate of St. Bonaventure University where he earned a bachelor of arts degree in journalism. He and his wife Kelly reside in Enfield, Connecticut.

Kim O'Leary, head athletic trainer [e-mail]

Kim O'Leary is in her sixth year at Western New England College and third as the head athletic trainer. She is the first woman to hold this important position at the College.

Kim earned her bachelor of science degree in athletic training from the University of New Hampshire, and a master of science degree from Springfield College.

While at UNH, Kim competed on the varsity gymnastics team, and was the team captain her senior year. She worked as the Coordinator of Sports Medicine at MIT for two years, and recently served as assistant athletic trainer at AIC. Kim and her husband, Sean, reside in Easthampton.

Mike Vallee , athletic trainer [e-mail]

Mike Vallee is in his fourth year as an athletic trainer at Western New England College. Mike is a 1997 graduate of Ithaca College where he earned a bachelor of science degree in athletic training/exercise science. He received a master of science degree in exercise science/human performance at Southern Connecticut State University in 2000.