FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                    May 2, 2007

BATTISTI ANNOUNCED AS NEW ATHLETIC DIRECTOR, WILL STEP DOWN AS MEN’S BASKETBALL COACH

            After one of the most successful seasons in his 21-year tenure as head men’s basketball coach at Northwestern Oklahoma State University, Bob Battisti will relinquish his coaching duties to become the school’s athletic director.

            Dr. Janet Cunningham, university president, announced Battisti’s appointment after current athletic director Milburn Barton announced he would retire from the post effective June 30.

            “Northwestern will dearly miss having Bob Battisti on the bench,” said Cunningham. “He has built and maintained the type of basketball program that any school would love to have by recruiting quality people, graduating his players and leading them to success on and off the court.

            “Fortunately for us, we now get to see him apply the same determination to leading our athletic programs.”

            Battisti completed his 21st season as head coach in March by leading his team to the elite eight of the NAIA Men’s Basketball National Championship Tournament and a 22-12 record. He compiled a 374-265 record at Northwestern with six conference titles and five national tournament appearances.

            “It was a difficult decision to step away from coaching, especially when you consider the caliber of young men on our basketball team,” said Battisti. “But I have tremendous respect and admiration for President Cunningham and the vision she has for Northwestern and its athletic programs. I want to be a part of that vision.”

            Battisti said in addition to the day-to-day management of the athletic program, he has several areas in which he will focus attention, including increasing private support, upgrading facilities, recruitment and retention of quality student-athletes and building support and excitement among students, alumni and supporters.

            He said, “I am proud to be a Ranger and I want everyone else to share in that pride.”

-NW-

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