Cummins to
lead Axemen in 2004
For Release: December 8, 2003
(Wolfville,
NS) - Acadia University announced today that interim
football head coach Jeff Cummins will continue his responsibility of
leading the Acadia Axemen football team for the 2004 season.
Cummins, who took over the leadership duties of the program in early
July of 2003 on an interim basis, will be at the helm of the
football program for the next three seasons. Prior to this past
season, Cummins was the defensive coordinator under the direction of
former head coach Sonny Wolfe.
Dan McNally, Director
of Varsity Athletics at Acadia University, expressed confidence and
excitement about the three-year contract offered to the new head
coach. “I’m personally very excited that Jeff will be continuing as
the head coach of our football team. It was very important to the
progress of our team to have this matter resolved quickly. It
ensures that recruitment will proceed without interruption but most
important of all, it sends a strong message to our returning players
about the positive direction of our program – I know they will be
every bit as excited as I am and we are all looking forward to the
2004 season. Jeff is a very dynamic personality and is a great
addition to our coaching staff.”
A native of Torrance,
California, Cummins was hired as a defensive coordinator prior to
the 2001 season. In his third season as the Axemen's defensive
coordinator and first as the interim head coach for the 2003 season,
he made strides in advancing the defensive unit to one of the best
in the country. Bringing a wealth of experience and knowledge to the
program, his intense demeanor on the field and fun-loving character
off the field will be a great asset in developing a nationally
competitive program.
A defensive end and
tackle, Cummins played in the Canadian Football League on various
teams including, Las Vegas, Ottawa, Toronto and finishing on the
1999 Grey Cup Champions Hamilton Tiger Cats, following his
graduation from the University of Oregon in 1992.
“I am very happy with
the chance to be at Acadia for the next three years as head coach.
It’s something that gives my family and me some sense of security
and solidifies my whereabouts during the next three years. My family
can now keep my current address, which is new for me,” jokes
Cummins. “Joking aside, I am looking forward to the opportunity to
build a program based on my values, beliefs and a great nucleus of
players over the next three seasons.”
Jeff has made
Wolfville home for the last three years with his wife Karen, son
Joshua and newborn daughter Sydney.
The appointment of
Cummins as head coach of the football program was greeted with
enthusiasm by various veteran players including fourth-year
quarterback Kristen Pipe. “The hiring of Coach Cummins definitely
puts the program in the right direction of winning a Vanier Cup. The
news gives players a strong sense of where the program is going and
allows the current coaching staff to work hard on recruiting the
best student-athlete; making us stronger for next season.” Pipe
adds, “The hiring makes it a whole lot harder to walk away after
four seasons at Acadia.”
-30-
For more information contact:
Sheri Woodland
Communications Manager
Office of Public Affairs
Acadia University
(902) 585-1362
Acadia
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