DETROIT (8/30/2016) -- The 2016-17 athletic year is underway and some new University of Detroit Mercy Athletic Department staff members are now in place in a number of different service areas.

The new staff members were fully introduced during the annual Athletic Department Staff Meeting on Tuesday morning, which was attended by Detroit Mercy President Dr. Antoine Garibaldi. 

The Compliance and Academics Department added a pair of staff interns in Ashley Flinn and Shelbie Wilson. Flinn will fill the role of Academic Coordinator Assistant, while Wilson is a Student-Athlete Welfare Assistant. Both positions will assist the Detroit Mercy Compliance & Academic departments and the 250 Titan student-athletes. 

Flinn was a standout women's soccer player for the University of Miami, where she ended her career with 18 goals – sixth in school history – and 42 points – tied for seventh in the record book. Prior to graduation, she served an internship in marketing with Miami Athletics. She graduated from Miami in 2015 with a degree in Sports Administration and a minor in Sports Medicine & Human and Social Development.

Wilson gained previous collegiate experience as an Athletic Department intern with Eastern Michigan University in 2015-16, where she worked closely with the development department and donor outreach. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Saginaw Valley State University in 2014 and a Master of Arts in Sports Administration from Wayne State University in 2016.

"We are excited to welcome these two to the department and are excited about what they will bring in the area of compliance and academics," said Assistant Athletic Director for NCAA Compliance Steve Corder '98. "Both have impressive resumes and bring a wealth of knowledge and experience in college athletics to Detroit Mercy."

The Sports Medicine Department will welcome a pair of graduate assistant trainers in Brendan Hogan and Tyler Thompson. 

Hogan will be the primary athletic trainer for the men's lacrosse and men's and women's fencing programs. He arrived at Detroit Mercy after graduating from the highly acclaimed athletic training program at Texas Christian University. At TCU, he was a student athletic trainer for the men's basketball, football and baseball team, the men's and women's track and field programs, the women's soccer team and the dance squad. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from TCU in 2016 and is currently pursuing a Master in Health Service Administration from Detroit Mercy.  

Thompson will be the primary athletic trainer for the men's and women's cross country and track and field programs. He comes to the Motor City from Grand Valley State University, where he spent the last few years working as a student athletic trainer with the Lakers' women's basketball and track and field programs. He graduated from GVSU in 2016 with a degree in Athletic Training and is also currently pursuing his master at Detroit Mercy in Health Service Administration.

Three new Sports Medicine Fellows will join the department as part of the ongoing partnership with Henry Ford Health System in Dr. Sarah Lucey, Dr. Richard Pearson and Dr. Daniel Seidman. 

"Both Brendan and Tyler came highly recommended from outstanding undergraduate programs," said Associate Director of Sports Medicine Lainie Bisbee. "I am also happy that we have increased our Sports Medicine Fellowship with Henry Ford Health System with three doctors as part of our team, all for the continued health and aid of our student-athletes."

The Strength & Conditioning Department brings back a former Titan in former men's lacrosse defensive midfielder Troy Dennis '14. Dennis appeared in 58 games as a Titan from 2011-14 and was part of the 2013 MAAC Championship team that won the school's first-ever conference title and a trip to the NCAA Tournament. As a student-athlete, he was a finalist for the Senior CLASS Award and earned Senior CLASS Award First Team All-American in 2014. He was also a University of Detroit Mercy Presidential Ambassador and a Titans' President's Award nominee in 2014. He graduated magna cum laude from Detroit Mercy in 2014 with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and is currently pursuing a Masters of Science in Cyber Security Information Assurance.

"Troy was one of the hardest working student-athletes that I have ever worked with," said Director of Strength and Conditioning Nick Wilson. "He was an outstanding student-athlete and his work ethic will impact all of our teams."

Jose Lopez is the new Facility and Event Operations graduate assistant, where he will work with the facilities efforts for all 19 varsity sports as well as special events. Lopez spent two years working with game day operations at his alma mater Niagara University. While in college, he also worked with the game day operations crew for the Rochester Red Wings, the AAA affiliate of the Minnesota Twins. He graduated from Niagara with a Bachelor of Science in Sports Management and is currently pursuing his Master in Business Administration at Detroit Mercy.  

"Jose has already proven to be a great addition to the facilities staff and athletic department," said Director of Operations Clifford Sims. "He's gone above and beyond from day one, and we are happy to have him."

Brett Mayer will join the Titans as a Ticketing Intern. Mayer interned with St. Clair County Community College last year, helping the school enhance a collegiate atmosphere as well as reach out with community initiatives. He also volunteered with the Horizon League at the Motor City Madness Men's Basketball Championship at Joe Louis Arena in 2016. He graduated from Davenport University in 2016 with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Sports Management.

"Brett has done a great job for us so far," said Director of Ticket Operations & Sales Kendall Acho. "Any task that he is given is completed above and beyond expectations. We're excited to have him here."

Keith Chartrand will be the Marketing & Promotions Graduate Assistant. He spent the past two years working as a marketing and ticketing intern with his alma mater Central Michigan. He also worked with the Battle Creek Bombers, a summer college baseball league, as a marketing, event management, and sales intern. He earned a Bachelor of Applied Arts in Sports Management from Central Michigan University in 2015 and is currently pursuing his MBA from Detroit Mercy.

"We are so pleased to bring Keith on as our graduate assistant for Marketing and Promotions," said Jeremiah Hergott, Director of Athletic Marketing & Promotions. "He demonstrated an impressive track record as a student at Central Michigan working as a marketing and ticket intern and feel he will play a very valuable role on our team."