Revelle Named Successor to Hibner as Nebraska SWA

Nebraska Athletic Director Steve Pederson announced on Wednesday that Husker softball coach Rhonda Revelle will take on an expanded role as Associate Athletic Director and Senior Women’s Administrator, beginning Jan. 1, 2006. In her new role, Revelle will become the only joint head coach/SWA in the Big 12 Conference.<?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

Revelle, the winningest softball coach in <?xml:namespace prefix="st1" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"?>Nebraska school history, will take over the Senior Women’s Administrator duties from Dr. Barbara Hibner, who will retire from the position effective Dec. 31, 2005. Hibner is in her 28th year overall in the athletic department and has served as Nebraska’s SWA since 1994. She previously served as Nebraska’s Women’s Athletic Director from 1985 to 1994 and as assistant women’s athletic director from 1978 to 1985.

Hibner is widely regarded as a leader in the progress and advancement of women’s athletics at Nebraska and throughout the nation. Due in part to Hibner’s vision, Nebraska has added three women’s sports?soccer (1994), bowling (1997) and rifle (1998)?in the past 11 years. Nebraska is the Big 12 leader with 13 women’s sports programs and provides female student-athletes 117 scholarship opportunities. Hibner has received numerous awards for her contributions, including Nebraska’s first Trailblazer Award in 2000.

“The University of Nebraska has been very fortunate over many years to have the expertise and foresight of Dr. Barbara Hibner,” Pederson said.  “Together with Bob Devaney, she helped build this fabulous total athletic department.  She deserves all of the praise and recognition that can be bestowed on her for her tremendous contributions.”

Hibner has a busy fall ahead of her before turning over her duties to Revelle. Hibner has been a key figure in securing championship events for Nebraska throughout her career and this year is no different. The Husker volleyball team will open its 2005 campaign by playing host to the AVCA/NACWAA College Volleyball Showcase at Qwest Center Omaha, and Nebraska will host an NCAA Regional in December at the QwestCenter. In addition, Nebraska’s soccer program will move to campus for the first time in 2005, playing its home games at the Nebraska Soccer Field on the infield of Ed Weir Track.

Revelle carries the same passion and devotion to collegiate athletics as Hibner. She recently completed her 13th season as Nebraska’s head coach and owns a 509-263 mark at Nebraska and a 517-279 overall record as a collegiate head coach.

During the 2005 season, Revelle collected both her 500th win at Nebraska and her 500th overall coaching victory. Revelle is one of only three Nebraska coaches in any sport to record 500 career victories and the only female in that elite group. Revelle began her association with the University of Nebraska as a member of the Husker softball team from 1981 to 1983. Revelle still ranks among the school’s career top 10 in saves and ERA and was a member of Nebraska’s first College World Series team.

“Not only is Rhonda Revelle the finest softball coach in the country, but she is a bright star in this department as well,” Pederson said.  “In selecting her to serve as Associate Athletic Director and Senior Women’s Administrator, we have combined her tremendous knowledge as a coach with the experience of a female student-athlete at Nebraska.  We believed that Rhonda was the perfect person to carry the traditions set forth by Barbara Hibner.  I am personally thrilled to have Rhonda assume this important role.”

In addition to her outstanding track record as a head coach, Revelle has extensive leadership experience. She was the president of the National Fastpitch Coaches Association from 1999 to 2002, and remains a member of the organization’s board of directors. An active member of her community, Revelle served as UNL’s campus chair for the 2004 United Way Combined Campaign.

Hibner expects Revelle’s proven leadership qualities to serve her well in her new position as Associate Athletic Director and Senior Women’s Administrator.

 “Rhonda will have no trouble at all adapting to her new role,” Hibner said. “Rhonda is a consummate communicator, a consensus builder, a good listener, a respected and recognized individual, who has received numerous accolades for her contributions to her profession, this University, our department and the City of Lincoln.  Rhonda treats everyone with dignity and respect.  She is a positive thinker who has earned the trust and respect of all those who have had the opportunity to rub shoulders with her.”

Revelle said she is proud of the opportunity to follow Hibner in the SWA role, and plans to meet with Hibner on a weekly basis this fall to learn from her predecessor.

“No one can ever take over for Dr. Hibner,” Revelle said. “She is a giant in her profession, and it is a tremendous honor to follow her. Nebraska has been ahead of the curve in women’s athletics and that is because Dr. Hibner has kept us ahead of the curve. Steve has made the same commitment, and I am grateful to both him and Chancellor (Harvey) Perlman for the opportunity to continue to serve this department in another role. This is definitely a ?Wow’ moment for me.”

Revelle expects that handling her dual role of leading one of the nation’s top softball programs and taking charge of the SWA role will be a busy, but extremely rewarding experience.

“It will be a challenge, but it is one that I accept with open arms,” Revelle said. “I have always believed that the ability to multi-task is extremely important in coaching. I have always enjoyed that aspect of coaching and this will be a fun, new challenge.”