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Belmont Abbey College Appoints Quin Monahan Athletic Director

Monahan “will be a wonderful communicator and role model for all those involved in Abbey Athletics.”

Belmont Abbey College today announced the appointment of Quin Monahan as athletic director, effective July 15.

Monahan most recently served as athletic director at Savannah College of Art and Design, which has campuses in Savannah and Atlanta, Georgia, and an enrollment of over 9,500 students.

During Monahan’s tenure as athletic director (July 2008-June 2010), more than 100 student-athletes were named to all-academic teams. From the time Monahan was appointed associate director of athletics (July 2003) until the end of the 2009-2010 school year, the college sent 109 intercollegiate teams to post-season competition (out of 119 opportunities). He also implemented academic enhancement initiatives that led to a department-wide cumulative GPA averaging 3.19 (on a 4.0 scale) from 2004-2010.  During the past year, the college amassed its best-ever season as its teams compiled a .638 winning percentage (156-88-3). Eight programs had teams compete at their respective national championship and three others had individuals compete at theirs. Savannah College of Art and Design received its second-ever NAIA team title when the Bees won the NAIA Women’s Swimming and Diving National Championship for a second consecutive season. 

“As we move into a future in Abbey Athletics that will be intentionally mission-inspired, I believe Quin will be a fantastic leader for the athletics department,” said interim athletic director Dr. Travis Feezell, who led the Abbey’s search committee. “Two things in particular stood out in the interview process about Quin. First, there was a ‘spirit’ and  ‘energy’ in his comments about wanting to work in faith-based higher education, that there is something particularly special in working at a place like Belmont Abbey. Second, his approach to college athletics stood out; he talked about an ‘education-based’ and ‘student-centered’ athletics program, that is, one where sport is a means to develop the entire person in mind, body, and spirit. In this he talked about working with both students and coaches and administrators and faculty members – all of the constituents on this campus – to make the development and experience of student-athletes our primary focus. I believe Quin will make this his focus through programming, but more importantly he will be a wonderful communicator and role model for all those involved in Abbey Athletics.

“He’s 180 degrees from being an ‘aloof administrator.’ Rather, he’s a terrific mentor, a coach’s coach who rolls up his sleeves, goes to many, many practices and games, and develops close relationships with coaches and student-athletes. I think everyone in the Abbey community will find it a joy to work with him.”

Prior to serving in Savannah College of Art and Design’s athletic department, Monahan managed the college’s office of Academic Advising, overseeing a staff of thirteen full-time employees, and helping to train faculty and staff on effective advising techniques and procedures.

Monahan earned an M.A. in Counseling from Asbury Theological Seminary and a B.S. in Behavioral Science from Oklahoma Wesleyan University.

“I am thrilled with this opportunity to run a program so committed to restoring character in athletics,” said Monahan. “The Abbey’s commitment to returning virtue into athletic competition and to thus ‘Reclaim the Game’ genuinely excites me.

“I am very competitive. While I am driven to win, I consistently stress that ‘Winning is not the bottom line.’ Competing with character while respecting the game and all players involved, win or lose, is most important. Winning in the face of poor sportsmanship, irresponsible behavior or negative attitudes is not victory. I look forward to this opportunity at Belmont Abbey based on the belief that this is a place that will be equally committed to reinstating virtue and excellence in sport and would support an athletics program with such a mission –without losing the focus or will to win.”

“Abbot Placid [Solari, O.S.B., Chancellor of the College] and I discussed the appointment of Quin Monahan as athletic director, and we both agreed that Quin possesses the strong leadership qualities needed for Abbey Athletics, and that he will be a great addition to the Abbey community in general,” said Dr. William Thierfelder, president. “Quin clearly understands the value of ‘Sport Properly Directed,’ and that understanding will be very valuable in helping Belmont Abbey College achieve our mission.”

For more information, please contact Dr. Travis Feezell, interim athletic director, at (704) 461-5021 or TravisFeezell@bac.edu.

Belmont Abbey College’s Mission Statement:
“Our mission is to educate students in the liberal arts and sciences so that in all things God may be glorified. In this endeavor, we are guided by the Catholic intellectual tradition and the Benedictine spirit of prayer and learning. Exemplifying Benedictine hospitality, we welcome a diverse body of students and provide them with an education that will enable them to lead lives of integrity, to succeed professionally, to become responsible citizens, and to be a blessing to themselves and to others.”

Named one of the top 50 “All-American Colleges” by the Intercollegiate Studies Institute (ISI), Belmont Abbey College finds its center in Jesus Christ and believes in the development of the whole person – mind, body and spirit.  Founded in 1876, the College celebrates its Catholic Benedictine heritage and welcomes anyone from any background or tradition committed to its vision of excellence and virtue.  Home to more than 1,600 students from 40 states and 25 countries, the campus is located on the 650-acre picturesque monastic property of Belmont Abbey.  Located just 10 miles west of Charlotte, N.C., it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  For more information, please visit our Web site at www.belmontabbeycollege.edu.