Greve named director of athletics at Franciscan

Greve named director of athletics at Franciscan

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STEUBENVILLE, Ohio (pacathletics.org)--Vice President of Student Life David Schmiesing today announced Scott Greve as the new Director of Athletics at Franciscan University of Steubenville. Greve will be the third director of athletics at Franciscan since the University brought back varsity athletics in 2007.

"Scott brings decades of leadership and management experience to this position and a deep love for our student-athletes," said Schmiesing. "He understands how to integrate the Catholic faith into varsity athletics. He has been an outstanding ambassador for Franciscan University as a development officer, and I am excited about Scott leading Franciscan University's next chapter in Baron athletics."

"Scott Greve is a proven leader who is committed to advancing Franciscan University's passionately Catholic mission," said Father Dave Pivonka, TOR, president of Franciscan University. "I know Scott is excited to use his gifts and abilities to serve our students and to invite them to grow closer to Jesus Christ through their participation in Baron athletics."

Greve, a Van Wert, Ohio, native, is no stranger to Franciscan University. Currently the head men's and women's tennis coach, Greve has served as the interim executive director of Development, as director of Major Gifts, and as a major gifts officer for the University since May 2013.

"I am honored and humbled to be selected to serve Franciscan University of Steubenville in this manner," said Greve. "By God's grace, I hope to bring a spirit of hope to our Athletic Department, especially our staff, coaches, and student-athletes. I have a deep love for Franciscan, and I think our best days are in front of us. Our coaching staff does an incredible job bringing our student-athletes closer to Jesus, and I'm excited to partner with them and our unbelievable staff in our efforts to form disciples for worldwide mission."

As the men's and women's tennis coach, Greve led the two teams to a combined six conference championships and was named the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC) Coach of the Year four times.

In addition to his coaching duties, Greve was responsible for substantial increases in fundraising for the tennis program. He also initiated a recruiting process to attract additional student-athletes and established the goal of winning the NCAA Division III national championship within 10 years. His recruiting efforts led to the largest and arguably most talented men's and women's tennis teams in program history.

During his six years in Franciscan's Development Department, Greve trained and developed major gift officers and developed a Major Giving Team that substantially increased donations to the University. As the interim executive director of Development, he was part of a team that attained the most productive fundraising achievements the University has seen in the last decade.

Prior to coming to Franciscan, Greve was the director of Development at Lehman Catholic High School in Sidney, Ohio, where he managed all the fundraising aspects of the school, created marketing materials, developed the school's brand and raised thousands of dollars for the LCHS Foundation.

Prior to his time at Lehman, Greve was the vice president and general manager of Greve Chrysler Dodge Jeep, Inc., in Wapakoneta, Ohio, from 1999-2009 and was the general sales manager at Jake Sweeney Chrysler Jeep, Inc., from 1994 to 1999.

Greve received his bachelor of science in business administration with a minor in religious studies from the University of Dayton in 1996. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in theology with a concentration in mariology from the University of Dayton/International Marian Research Institute and is expected to receive his degree in the spring of 2020.

Greve takes over an Athletic Department that boasts 18 varsity sports including women's golf, which will be competing in its first varsity season at Franciscan in the fall, and baseball, which will make its return in the spring of 2020.

Franciscan athletics will begin its transition to full membership in the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) this year with the Barons competing in the AMCC for the last time this season.

"We have many needs as our program prepares to join the Presidents' Athletic Conference next academic year," said Greve. "My goal is to form a vision and plan for how we will fulfill the needs of our department while remembering that we are here to serve our student-athletes and our colleagues. We are all coworkers in God's vineyard and have been called to this special place to serve a crucial mission to educate, evangelize, and send forth joyful disciples. My hope is to create an atmosphere of unity that seeks to serve this mission and create a culture of ongoing conversion."

"We have many facility and operational needs. One of my first tasks will be to engage our alumni and supporters to join us in a partnership to advance our Athletic Department and polish it into the shining jewel it is. I look forward to sharing my vision for making Franciscan a premiere athletic program in NCAA Division III sports."

Greve will begin serving as athletic director on August 1.

Information contributed by the Franciscan University sports information office