GRINNELL, Iowa – Holly Roepke has been named Assistant Athletic Director/Coordinator for Diversity & Inclusion and Student Programming at Grinnell College.
 
Grinnell Director of Athletics and Recreation Andy Hamilton announced the hiring today following a nationwide search.
 
Roepke has served as Director of Media Relations for the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) since August 2014. She coordinated conference programs and events, administered the league's awards program and promoted student-athletes by leading the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), focusing on personal strengths and promoting careers in athletics.
 
Additionally, she assisted the executive director in all areas of business operations as just the second full-time employee of the conference.
 
Roepke graduated from California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, Calif., with a bachelor's degree in Organizational Leadership. She was a standout athlete at the school and is a member of its Athletic Hall of Fame as well as the Ventura County Sports Hall of Fame.
 
Roepke led the Regals' women's soccer team to an undefeated SCIAC record in a four-year run from 1995-98. She has the third-highest assist mark in Cal Lutheran history and ranks fifth in goals scored.
 
She was selected to the All-SIAC first team all four years, was named the league's Player of the Year in 1998 and twice earned All-American honors.
 
Roepke also has coached several sports, including soccer for three seasons at California Lutheran.

"I would like to thank Andy Hamilton and the entire search committee for this great opportunity," said Roepke, who expects to start in mid-February. "Grinnell College has a great history with an outward vision and application. The combination of an intimate, liberal arts education, NCAA Division III identity and prime central Iowa location give Grinnell student-athletes a wealth of opportunities in which to expand their influence. I am excited to integrate my passions and experiences in this position to support and further the traditions and mission of Grinnell College."
 
"We are thrilled that Holly said 'yes' to our offer, especially since she is making the commitment to come halfway across the country," said Hamilton. "Her interview on campus was very well received by so many of the people and groups with whom she met, and our athletic department
seemed particularly taken by her genuine and authentic approach to our questions about issues in small college sport and beyond.
 
"The make-up of our assistant AD position is unique and I expect that Holly will thrive in the role," he added. "In some ways, I think the construct
of our arrangement may serve as a great model nationally as institutions work on issues of diversity and inclusion."