Duluth, MN- After recently stepping down as the head coach for the St. Scholastica Women's Hockey team, Athletic Director Jessica Cherry announced that Julianne "Montana" Vasichek will be transitioning into a new role in Saints athletics as the Director of Recreation, Intramural Sports and Group Fitness. Additionally, Vasichek will provide oversight to the department's athletic teams to develop more comprehensive strength and conditioning programs to ensure continued development along that front for Saints athletes during their quest for MIAC and NCAA championships. 

Vasichek was willing to provide insight into her transition from coaching to her new role within the department. "The occupation of being a college coach is incredibly demanding. It's characterized by long and unpredictable hours and it is not a job that you can leave at the office. As a post-transplant recipient with other inflammatory diseases, I spend a lot of time managing my health, and unfortunately the nature of ice hockey coaching has made it such that trying to achieve that balance is no longer possible for me. I will miss working with the ice hockey team in the capacity I had the privilege to and I am so excited to see their growth next year. The transition to the role of leading recreation and intramurals, and starting a strength and conditioning program for athletics is a lofty task, but the stresses are more predictable. I look forward to benefiting the students, student-athletes, staff, and faculty on campus with the offerings provided within the Burns Wellness Commons. In terms of our athletics programs, I look forward to using my past educational, athletic, strength and conditioning, coaching experiences, and those of my colleagues and our Exercise Physiology program to build consistency into our training year-round." 

Additionally, Jessica Cherry had this to say about the transition: "Her leadership, dedication and first hand experience in exercise physiology and athletic performance make her a perfect fit for this position.  I know that Montana will bring the same passion to our growing recreation programs as she did in coaching.  Her expertise will be critical in providing our student-athletes with the highest level of cutting-edge training programs that prioritize performance, preparation,  injury prevention and overall well being as a key pillar of athletic success."

Vasichek will bring over a decade of strength and conditioning experience into the role and is currently pursuing a Master of Exercise Physiology degree at St. Scholastica.

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St. Scholastica is a private, independent college established in 1912 and founded in the Catholic Benedictine tradition. It is nationally recognized for quality and value. The U.S. News & World Report includes it on its Best National Universities and Top Performers on Social Mobility lists. The College is ranked on Money magazine's "Best Colleges for your Money" list and Princeton Review's list of Best Midwestern Colleges. A First Forward Institution, St. Scholastica, is recognized for developing new initiatives to support first-generation student success. The College's six-year graduation rate is higher than the state, regional and national average. Learn more at css.edu.