ROCHESTER, Mich. - With a focus on student-athlete well-being, Oakland has created an Assistant Athletic Director for Athletic Performance position and hired Chris Meny, announced Director of Athletics Jeff Konya on Thursday. This position will oversee athletic training, strength and conditioning and nutrition.

"Student-Athlete welfare is of the utmost importance here at Oakland University and we wanted to be revolutionary in the industry and on the cutting edge of this by establishing such a unique job responsibility and skill set,"said Konya. "The student-athlete experience is a vital one and our Golden Grizzlies will have every opportunity to receive coordinated top care by our strength coaches, sports medicine staff, doctors, sports psychologist and nutritionist."

Meny is currently serving as the Associate Athletic Trainer at Lafayette College, a Division I institution in Easton, Pa. There he supervises the treatment or referral of injuries to the Student Health Office. Meny spearheaded the transition from paper charts to the implementation of electronic medical records to help better serve the student-athletes. His instruction on physical training programs and prevention of injury really separated him as the top candidate.

"We went through an extensive search process to find the right fit for this position and Oakland," said Senior Associate AD Simon Dover. "We are excited to have Chris join the Oakland team and excited for him to unite our approach to overall athletic performance. Chris brings a wealth of experience in many areas that will help us accomplish our objectives from this position."

Prior to Lafayette College, Meny was an Assistant Athletic Trainer at Seton Hall in 2007-08, working with swimming and diving, track and field, and softball. He spent time at St. Anthony High School and Bound Brook High School from 2006-09 as an Athletic Trainer, and worked with the New York Jets in 2004.

"The creation of this position and hiring of Chris Meny emphasizes our commitment to our student-athletes by utilizing a holistic approach to their overall health and well-being," said Associate AD and Senior Woman Administrator Holly Kerstner. "We are excited to have Chris lead these areas and bring leadership, expertise and an invaluable skill set to our department."

Meny served in the United States Navy from 1985-88, going through Basic Underwater Demolition SEAL training, before being medically discharged after an ankle injury suffered during training. He then attended Montclair State University in New Jersey and received his bachelor's degree in 2006. Meny went on to earn his master's degree in exercise science from California University of Pennsylvania in 2007.

"It is an exciting time to become part of the Oakland family," said Meny. "I was very impressed with the passion of the staff. After meeting with the student-athletes I was convinced this was a great opportunity to aid in their personal discovery of excellence."

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