May 14, 2009
Jenkins Promoted to Recreation Director
Alum Will Take on New Role on July 1st

CHESTERTOWN, MD - Washington College Athletic Director Dr. Bryan Matthews has announced the promotion of assistant men's soccer coach Jonnie Jenkins '07 to the position of Recreation Director effective July 1st. Jenkins will take over for Mike Duquette, who will be leaving the college after six years, including over two years as Recreation Director.

Jenkins has spent the last two years as the assistant men's soccer coach at Washington College, but has also served the athletic department in a variety of other capacities. He has assumed the role of strength and conditioning coach with multiple WC varsity athletic teams and he has been a staff worker in the Lifetime Fitness Center and the Recreation Department since his days as an undergraduate student. Through his work in the Recreation Department, he has led students on various off-campus recreational adventure trips.

"We are extremely excited to offer Jonnie the position of Director of Campus Recreation," noted Dr. Matthews. "As an alum and assistant soccer coach, Jonnie has demonstrated his commitment to Washington College and the college community. His enthusiasm, energy, and experience these last two years make him an ideal candidate to carry on the legacy that Michael has created."

A member of the National Strength and Conditioning Association, Jenkins will perform a broad range of duties as Recreation Director, organizing intramurals, club sports, fitness classes, and recreational trips, overseeing the Lifetime Fitness Center, and providing strength and conditioning instruction to varsity student-athletes and the college community as a whole. He will work closely with several offices on campus, including Athletics, Student Affairs, and Health Services.

Jenkins earned his B.A. in History with a Secondary Education Focus from Washington College in 2007. Jenkins lettered in soccer for four years for the Shoremen, earning Team Most Valuable Player honors as a junior and serving as a team captain as a senior. He will be obtaining his M.A. in History from Washington College this Sunday and holds United States Soccer Federation National and National Youth Licenses.

Duquette is leaving Washington College to serve as a math teacher, head tennis coach, and strength and conditioning coach at Norfolk Academy, an independent day school in Norfolk, VA.