WAYNE, N.J. – William Paterson will honor retiring Associate Director of Athletics Cindy Cohen on Tuesday, April 18, when the Pioneer softball team hosts Ramapo for a pair of contests beginning at 3:00 p.m.
 
Cohen will throw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the opening game, and an informal reception open to all members of the WP community will be held during the doubleheader. Light refreshments will be served.

Cohen has announced her retirement from William Paterson, effective June 30, after 14 years as the Pioneers' associate athletic director. Since arriving in September of 2003, she has assisted with the daily operations of the WP athletic department, and has been responsible for NCAA and New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) rules compliance and eligibility. Cohen has supervised nine professional staff members and graduate students, and has coordinated and scheduled preseason camp as well as all 13 sports' practices and varsity contests. 
 
She has monitored the eligibility status and transfer process for all student-athletes, has acted as Athletics' liaison to the WP Registrar's Office, Physical Plant, Residence Life, Auxiliary Services, and Counseling, Health and Wellness Offices, and was integral to the formation of the Faculty Athletic Support Team (FAST). She also has served as the NJAC softball sport chair, helping to administer the sport itself as well as the annual conference championship.

In addition, Cohen was the chair of search committees for the hiring of the field hockey and baseball head coaches, football assistant and head coaches, head equipment manager, sports information director and head athletic trainer. She also held a position on the College Athletic Administrators of New Jersey (CAANJ) Executive Committee for four years, serving as the group's president (2009-10) and assisting with the organization and implementation of both the Fall Forum and annual golf outing, and was presented the 2013 NJAIAW Honors Award.

"Cindy has been relied on to assist with every aspect of the athletic program since joining our staff," said Director of Athletics Sabrina Grant. "The relationships she has developed on our campus, most notably with members of the faculty, have been beneficial for our student-athletes and staff. Cindy's leadership and work ethic have proven to be tremendous assets in her role as associate director."

Before arriving at William Paterson, Cohen was the associate director of athletics at the University of Rochester for three years. There, she oversaw the daily operations of 22 varsity sport programs, the business office, and sports information and training room staffs.

Prior to entering an administrative position, Cohen was the head softball coach at Princeton University for 18 years and compiled an overall record of 560-277-2 (.669 winning percentage). From 1987-98, her program was ranked among the top seven out of 57 teams in the Northeast Region, and she earned four National Fastpitch Coaches' Association Regional Coach of the Year awards (1988, 1994-96). During her time at Princeton, her team won 12 Ivy League championships, recorded a league record of 129-22-1 (.852 winning percentage) and qualified for the Women's College World Series twice. 

A coach of four all-Americans, 45 regional all-Americans, 11 academic all-Americans and one Rhodes Scholar, Cohen produced a 100% graduation rate while performing duties including recruiting, fundraising, scheduling, practice organization, game strategy, tournament management, and media, alumni, player and parent relations.  A cum laude graduate of Temple University, she holds a bachelor's degree in health, physical education and recreation. She received her master's in health education from The College of New Jersey (formerly Trenton State College), where she worked as an assistant basketball coach in 1982 and assistant softball coach from 1980-82. 

For all of the latest information on the Pioneers, visit http://www.wpupioneers.com and http://www.wpupioneers.com/socialmedia.