BALTIMORE, MD – As the spring championships come to a close, the Notre Dame of Maryland University Athletics Department has announced two new staff changes ahead of the 2022-23 school year. Samantha Kastner is being elevated to Interim Assistant Athletic Director and Head Softball Coach as long-time Assistant Athletic Director and Head Softball Coach Cheri Morin steps away after seven seasons with the university. 

The department also announced the hiring of Kelly Bryant as its new Head Coach for the track and field program. Bryant, who previously served as the Head Varsity Football Coach and Track and Field Throwers Coach at Towson High School, comes to Notre Dame (Md.) with over 12 years of coaching and personal training experience. Kelly will hit the road this summer for the Gators as he prepares for his first season at the helm.

"We are excited to have Kelly join the Gator Family," Director of Athletics and Wellness, Dr. Ashley Hodges, said. "His knowledge of the area and passion for the sport placed him above the rest."

With over three years of experience as the Athletics Operations Coordinator and assistant softball coach, Kastner will welcome her new responsibilities after spending this past year serving as the game-day manager for NDMU home games, managing schedules, contracts, and equipment distribution.

"Samantha has exhibited the ability to take on more responsibility and continuously contribute to the department. Her experiences at the national level as a member of the National SAAC will allow her to have a large impact on the student-athlete experience. I am thrilled that she has decided to step into this leadership role and help lead the athletic department," Hodges said. " Samantha's new role will include student-athlete development, compliance, and budget oversight."

Earlier this year, Kastner was amongst 30 women and ethnic minority leaders in athletics selected to participate in the inaugural launch of the NCAA Foundation of Fundraising Program aimed at further educating women and ethnic minorities interested in learning more about athletics fundraising and development.

Kastner received a certificate from the NCAA, NAADD, and Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis in April for completion of the Foundations of Fundraising Program designed to introduce athletics fundraising as a career path to young leaders under the NCAA membership and to further educate current athletics development representatives as they step forward to potential senior-level athletics positions.

Kastner graduated from NDMU in 2019 a two-sport student-athlete for the Gators, playing both field hockey and softball. As a student-athlete at Notre Dame, Kastner served on NCAA Division III Management Council and National Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).  

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