The Northwestern State Athletic Department has announced a trio of promotions spanning the department.

Administrators Dr. Haley Taitano and Mike Jaworski along with men’s basketball coach Jeff Moore will have new titles, according to Director of Athletics Greg Burke.

Taitano, a former school record holder in the pole vault, has been elevated to deputy athletic director after spending more than three years as the department’s associate athletic director for external affairs. She will retain duties as the department’s Senior Woman Administrator and assume additional administrative duties along with oversight for all aspects of NSU’s external operations, including development, marketing/branding, ticketing and media relations. Under Taitano’s leadership, the NSU Athletic Department recently earned a gold medal in sponsorship activation from the National Association for Collegiate Marketing Administrators “Best Of” competition as well as bronze medal in the single-event sales campaign category.

“Haley has been and will continue to be an invaluable asset to the NSU athletic program,” said Burke. “Her passion and purpose on a daily basis epitomize the term ‘Demon spirit’ and from my perspective as Athletic Director, make her a joy with whom to work side by side on a daily basis to promote the NSU Demon brand and most importantly, to position our student-athletes and coaches for success on all levels. Furthermore, her commitment to our student-athletes is unwavering and is evident day in and day out. Promoting Haley to Deputy Athletic Director is in recognition of what she’s accomplished and in anticipation of the contributions she no doubt will continue to make for her alma mater in the coming years.”

Mike Jaworski, an Academic All-American during his Demon baseball career, has been promoted to assistant athletic director for development and engagement after spending the past two-plus years as the Director of Development and Engagement. Jaworski was scheduled to present during the annual National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics convention before its cancelation. He also penned a column for the most recent NACDA magazine, which spotlights one athletic department member from a Division I university per issue. Jaworski has spearheaded efforts to exponentially grow the N-Club, NSU’s letterman’s association, which has resulted in increases in memberships, revenue and attendance at reunions and athletic events.

“Mike has made a tremendous impact on the NSU athletic program in a short period of time,” said Taitano. “The passion that he has for our department as a former athlete and graduate assistant coach, and now as a staff member, is invaluable. He has contacted countless former athletes and reconnected them with NSU athletics, while raising much needed dollars through expansion of the N-Club and through the Demons Unlimited Foundation annual fund. Mike has also been able to connect with a number of athletic administrators within our industry through professional development opportunities, resulting in fresh perspective and innovative ideas which have benefitted the NSU athletic program. Finally, Mike’s dependability, reliability and work ethic are intangibles that make him such a valuable asset to our department.”

Jeff Moore, a member of the Northwestern State men’s basketball staff for 14 years, has been named associate head coach. Moore has played key roles in recruiting and in maintaining the program’s lofty academic standards while helping lead the Demons to the 2013 Southland Conference Tournament championship, an SLC divisional championship and two other SLC Tournament title game appearances.

“We are fortunate to have an individual who is as dedicated, loyal and hard-working as Jeff Moore,” said head coach Mike McConathy. “Every day, he comes to work with a blue-collar mentality. He gives it all he has to give – just like he and our staff ask our players to give their best. Jeff embodies the idea that coaches cannot have a bad day, because the team depends on him.

“Jeff, Amy, Gracie and Caige are a great example of a family that is committed to our program, university and community. I am grateful and thankful for all he and his family do for our program and athletic department. Jeff is most deserving of this new title. I am the most fortunate person in this equation to have enjoyed his assistance for the past 14 years.”