Valpo women’s basketball head coach Mary Evans announced today that Mark Schwitzgable has joined the Valpo program as an assistant coach entering the 2019-20 season. In addition, Evans announced that Kaylin Speedy has been promoted to director of basketball operations.

“I am excited to have Mark join our program,” said Evans. “I had the chance to work with Mark when he was an undergraduate manager and a graduate assistant at Ohio. Mark will have a solid understanding of our style of play and will be an excellent resource for our players. His time at Urbana gave him an opportunity to really get his hands in every aspect of running a collegiate basketball program, which has really helped him grow as a coach. He is as good of a person as he is a coach, and I am really looking forward to working with him for years to come.”

Schwitzgable comes to Valpo from Urbana University, where he spent the last two seasons as an assistant coach for the Blue Knights and also served as head coach for the women’s golf program. Prior to that, he was on staff at Ohio University, working his way up from student manager to graduate assistant coach during his time with the Bobcats. Schwitzgable was a member of Ohio’s program when the Bobcats earned a berth in the 2015 NCAA Tournmament and advanced to the WNIT Sweet 16 in 2016.

“I’m thrilled for the opportunity to come to Valpo and to join Coach Evans’ staff,” said Schwitzgable. “I got to know her when we were at Ohio together, and we built a great relationship there. Her vision for how to run a program aligns with mine, and I know her style and her mentality – I’m excited for what she’s going to build here at Valpo, and I want to be a part of it. My time at Ohio and at Urbana have helped me develop as a coach and familiarize myself with every facet of a program, and I’m looking forward to using my experience to help the Valpo program be successful.”

Speedy is in her second year on Evans’ staff at Valpo after coming on board as a graduate assistant last season. Prior to her arrival at Valpo, Speedy served as a student manager for the Purdue women’s basketball program and was the head manager by the end of her time with the Boilermakers.

“Having Kaylin transition from our graduate assistant to our DOBO position was a no-brainer after Sean’s departure,” said Evans. “Kaylin was involved in all aspects of our program last year and has a firm understanding of the day-to-day activities that help keep our program running smoothly. She is a tireless worker and has proven to be a really valuable member of our staff. She is really passionate about her job and Valparaiso University, and I am so happy to have her on our team.”