By Kaia Zimmerman
Grand Rapids Community College announced on Wednesday, June 23, that Lauren Ferullo will be the new athletic director.
Ferullo is the first women hired to directly oversee the GRCC athletic program, bringing with her more than 20 years of experience. Orletta Caldwell was the first women to oversee the department, transferring in from the business department on July 1, 2015. Caldwell left the role on Aug. 22, 2016.
Before landing the top athletics job at GRCC, Ferullo was the Davenport University assistant athletic director for 10 years, as well as holding a similar role at Lake Erie College.
“(Ferullo) has a proven track record of leadership and will do an outstanding job guiding the Athletic Program,” GRCC President Bill Pink stated in a press release. “For more than 100 years, GRCC has been an institution where student-athletes have come to gain an excellent education, while working with some of the very best coaches in the business. We’re proud of that tradition, and I know (Ferullo) is the right person to lead the next generation of Raiders”
Ferullo will also be bringing in coaching and officiating experience. Ferullo was the women’s soccer coach for Lake Erie for seven years and received Allegheny Mountain Collegiate College Women’s Soccer Coach of the Year during her time there.
Also, Ferullo coached and officiated girls lacrosse at the high school level.
Adding to her experience, Ferullo earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise and Sport Science and Sport Management from Colby-Sawyer College, and a master’s degree in Education from Lake Erie.
Starting on July 19, Ferullo wants to continue the success of the programs on and off the court that was showcased this year with five teams making trips to the national tournament, and more than 30 student-athletes receiving academic honors.
Ferullo will follow Interim Athletic Director, David Selmon who led the GRCC Athletic Department through the COVID-19 pandemic, while continuing his duties as the associate dean of Student Affairs.
“I’m excited to be a part of the proud GRCC Raiders tradition,” Ferullo stated, in a press release. “Our goal is to prepare students to be successful both on and off the court. I want to ensure we provide them with the best possible student-athlete experience.”
Editor’s Note: Story was changed on Friday, June 25, at 1:04 p.m. to fix an error, stating Ferullo was the first women to oversee GRCC Athletic Department, Orletta Caldwell held the position from July 1, 2015 to Aug. 22, 2016.
