Laing Kennedy, who has served as Kent State’s director of athletics since 1994, announced that he is retiring, effective June 30, 2010. During Kennedy’s tenure, Kent State teams have won 85 Mid-American Conference championships, and 83 student-athletes have gained all-America honors. He is also a member of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Committee.

Other transactions

Directors of athletics – Akron hired Tom Wistrcill as director of athletics.

Assistant athletics directors – Rosemont named Danielle Maye assistant athletics director … Rice hired Ryan Holloway as the assistant athletics director for marketing and ticket sales.

Coaches

Baseball – Dusty Rhodes announced he will retire following the 2010 season after 23 years of leading the North Florida baseball team. Raymond Laval will take over the program after the 2010 season.

Football assistants – Shenandoah hired Clayton Hall to coach the tight ends, while Joel Elmquist and Tony Dunn were named volunteer assistants … Holy Cross named Walt Housman defensive ends coach and Matt Mohler outside linebackers coach.

Men’s and women’s golf – Otterbein named Mark Paluszak head golf coach for both the men’s and women’s programs.

Softball – Jennifer Bridges was named softball coach at Sonoma State … Wright State hired Linda Garza as softball coach.

Staff

Assistant athletic trainers – Rosemont hired Lawrence McNamee as the assistant athletic trainer.

Deaths

Peter H. Horstmann, a trustee emeritus at WPI, died August 19. A WPI trustee from 1984 to 2007, when he was elected to emeritus status, Horstmann served as vice chair of the board from 1995 to 2000. As a student athlete, Horstmann was co-captain of the 1954 football team, one of only three WPI gridiron teams to complete an undefeated season.