Monica Gordy Polizzi named Assistant Athletic Director

MARS HILL, N.C. – Monica Gordy Polizzi has been named the Assistant Athletic Director at Mars Hill University. She will serve as the institution's Director of NCAA Compliance and remain serving as the school's Senior Woman Administrator, overseeing much of the athletic department's internal operations. She will step down as the Head Softball Coach. 

"I would like to thank Director of Athletics Rick Baker and President Tony Floyd for this incredible opportunity to continue serving Mars Hill University and our student-athletes," Polizzi stated. "I would also like to thank all the softball athletes who have worked tirelessly in the classroom and on the field during my time as their coach. They inspire me every day and I look forward to continuing to advocate for them and all of our student-athletes." 

Polizzi is filling the position vacated by Rick's promotion to the Director of Athletics. 

"Monica has served Mars Hill Athletics extremely well for eight years as Head Softball Coach and over two years as the Senior Woman Administrator," Director of Athletics Rick Baker stated. "Her organizational skills and work ethic make her a good fit as the department's new Director of NCAA Compliance. She will be an asset in her new role." 

Polizzi was hired as the head softball coach at Mars Hill in fall of 2011. Polizzi was named Mars Hill's Senior Woman Administrator in August of 2016. Polizzi is Co-Advisor to the Student Athlete Advisory committee, and represents athletics on many campus committees, including the Staff Personnel Committee and Career Services Faculty Advisory Board. Polizzi is also involved at the NCAA level, serving since 2017 on the Softball Regional Advisory Committee. She will begin a four-year term on the Division II National Football Committee in September. 

For six consecutive years during her tenure as head softball coach, the softball team had the highest team GPA of MHU sports. Polizzi's teams have produced two First Team All-Americans, 14 All-SAC players, as well as the 2014 and 2015 SAC Scholar Athlete of the Year. Polizzi has coached the 2012 Mars Hill Woman of the Year and Female Athlete of the Year, 2013 Mars Hill Female Athlete of the Year, as well as the 2019 Mars Hill Woman of the Year and Female Athlete of the Year. 

Polizzi came to Mars Hill from Louisburg College where she served the school's head softball coach for four years. In addition to her coaching duties, Polizzi served as an academic advisor, adjunct Health and Wellness instructor, and was the campus Wellness Committee chairperson. While at Louisburg, her teams annually posted the highest GPA on campus with an average of 3.45. She had seven team members in Phi Theta Kappa as well as 15 scholar athletes. On the field, Polizzi guided her squad to consecutive winning seasons during the last two years. She also developed the 2010 and 2011 Region X Player of the Year and five Region X All-Conference players. 

Polizzi earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology in May 2004 from FIT. She received her master's degree in Coaching Education in 2013 from Ohio University. She currently resides in Mars Hill with her husband, Justin.