New Mentor Eager to Continue Program Development

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. --- As Conrad Parker puts the wraps on a successful intercollegiate coaching career for the final time, Matt Pochily unveils what he hopes will be a productive future in the same profession.

Parker has retired as the golf coach at Virginia Wesleyan College, turning the program over to Pochily, who was an assistant coach with the Marlins through the 2008-09 season.  Parker, who retired after three years with the golf program, plans on spending more time as a participant on the golf course, as well as more time with his family.  It is the second exit from VWC for the amiable coach, who led the Marlin softball program to a 217-156-1 record in nine years, ending in 2006. He returned to the College in the fall to take over the leadership of the golf program.

"Our coaches will miss the professional relationships they had with Coach Parker," said VWC Athletic Director Joanne Renn.  "But, he will be missed the most by our student-athletes.  Losing a person like Conrad is a significant loss for any athletic department.  But, he helped to pave the way for his successor, which will make the transition from coach-to-coach that much easier. We're excited to have someone with Matt's background in the sport.  He is highly organized and a good person to lead our golf program that is only getting stronger."

That transition Renn was referring to began earlier this year with the addition of Pochily as an assistant coach.  Pochily, a former four-year member of the Division I St. Bonaventure University golf team, will enter his first season as the VWC head golf mentor already knowing the strengths and weaknesses of a team that will begin competition in September. 

"I'm very excited to become the head coach of the golf team at VWC," said Pochily.  "I've always thought highly of Virginia Wesleyan College and its athletic department and no to be a part of that department is a thrill.  I was very fortunate to have Coach Parker allow me the opportunity to work with the team in the spring.  It was great in that it gave me the opportunity to share with the team where I thought his program should be headed and make sure they were on board with that as they left for the summer.  I'm hopeful that the work we did in the spring can lay a great foundation for where we can go in the fall and beyond."

Pochily will continue his efforts with a near veteran team, led by seniors Trae Kresinske (Virginia Beach, Va./Atlantic Shores Christian), Tyler Sharpe (Oakton, Va./Vienna Oakton), and Ben Sharpe (Oakton, Va./Vienna Oakton).

"Our immediate goal is to become a team in the true sense," said Pochily. "We're trying to build camaraderie.  Golf is different than many other sports, especially in college.  You're a team, but you're out there playing by yourself.  I want our student-athletes to communicate and trust one another the way a soccer, or lacrosse team has to. Once we achieve that I think we'll see some great improvement."

Pochily was encouraged by what he saw from the Marlins at the close of the season in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference tournament.  He's eager to keep things headed in the right direction, improving the Marlins' placement and reputation, not only in the conference, but also in the region and beyond.

"I think that VWC could be a "sleeping giant," in many ways," said Pochily. "We have some very good young players who I think will fit in with our program and the direction we're headed.  I think we have a lot of unrealized potential and it's my goal to bring that out throughout the year.  If we can do that, folks will be surprised to see us at the top of the leaderboards, but we'll have expected to be there."

Pochily also feels VWC has a major bonus in location ... a situation that gives golfing enthusiasts the ability to play nearly year-round.

"There are a number of great courses in the area and young talent practicing at those courses," said Pochily.  "I think that as our program grows we're going to have the opportunity to attract more and more of those young men to Virginia Wesleyan and offer them the opportunity to compete at a very high level and study at and earn a degree from a very respected college."

Pochily comes to VWC from the University of Pittsburgh where he was the Assistant Director of Marketing & Promotions for the Pitt athletic department for three years.  Prior to that, he was the assistant golf coach at St. Bonaventure for four years.  During that time he helped guide the Bonnies to five tournament victories and a jump from 35th place in a district of 49 teams to 14th.  He also coordinated, planned and managed the St. Bonaventure Leo Keenan Golf Invitational.

His time as a coach was preceded by four years as a student-athlete at the University, emerging as one of the most consistent golfers for the Bonnies.  He compiled a 77.6 average during his sophomore season, the same year he was selected a team captain...a position he also held as a junior and senior.  Pochily earned the 2002 Leo Keenan Award, an award given to a Bonaventure golfer who best exemplifies hard work and leadership in the classroom and on the golf course.

A 2002 graduate with a bachelor's degree in journalism and mass communication, Pochily continued his education at the University and earned his master's degree in English in 2006.

Virginia Wesleyan's golf program is one of the oldest intercollegiate sports at the College.  It began in 1970.  The Marlins have competed in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference since 1990.

This release is courtesy of the Virginia Wesleyan College sports information department.