LEXINGTON, Va. --- It was nearly five years ago that Bethany Dannelly returned to ODAC country as the conference's Director of Championships. She is set for a second homecoming in league circles as Dannelly has been named the associate director of athletics at her alma mater, Washington and Lee University, in an announcement by Generals' director of athletics Jan Hathorn on Friday morning.
"Bethany has been a vital part of the conference's operations from her first days in 2015," explained ODAC commissioner Brad Bankston. "Her strong work ethic and innovative perspective helped the league improve its focus in a number of key areas including regular engagements with the conference Senior Woman Administrators and Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. We will miss her leadership, wit, and energy and wish her much success in this next chapter. I know she will be a true asset to the W&L community."
Dannelly's contributions far surpassed her title as director of championships. In addition to managing logistics for each of the conference's 24 championship events, Dannelly coordinated operations with the ODAC's supervisors of officials in nine league sports and helped maintain the league's operating and officiating finances. In addition to laying the groundwork for regular communication with the ODAC SWA and SAAC contingents, she spearheaded programming with both groups that helped further the conference's initiatives towards diversity, inclusion, and leadership development.
"I am grateful for the opportunity to have served the ODAC member institutions over the past five years," expressed Dannelly. "We have some of the most talented student-athletes, coaches, and administrators in Division III athletics, so it has been a true pleasure to work alongside them. I am excited to still be a part of the ODAC in the next step of my professional journey and look forward to continuing to contribute to the ODAC's tradition of excellence."
Prior to arriving at the ODAC office, Dannelly served as assistant basketball coach at Colby College from 2011-15, also holding the title of assistant strength and conditioning coach for three of those years. She was also a graduate assistant coach (2008-10) and assistant director of operations (2010-11) for the women's basketball program at the University of Virginia, where she earned a master of education in exercise physiology in 2010. Additionally, Dannelly was a middle school math and physical education teacher at Hampton Roads Academy from 2005-08.
Dannelly earned a bachelor of arts in psychology with a concentration in poverty studies from Washington and Lee in 2005. She was a four-year starter on the women's basketball team and a three-year letterwinner in track & field. As a point guard on the basketball team, she set several program records which still stand today, including season assists (152), career assists (459) and career steals (197). She also competed in the javelin during the outdoor track & field season for each of her first three seasons. Dannelly received the basketball team's Barry Machado Award for dedication and commitment as a senior, and she also garnered the athletic department's Wink Glasgow Spirit & Sportsmanship Award in 2005.
Dannelly succeeds Elizabeth LeRose, who transitioned to University Development where she now serves as the assistant director of prospect development. Dannelly will begin her new appointment on July 1.