Wesleyan welcomes three new coaches and an athletic trainer to its athletics department staff. We are looking forward to rooting for our Wolves throughout the year. Learn more about our new staff below.
Pranay Shah, Head Athletic Trainer and Compliance Officer (top left)
Shah comes to Wesleyan after serving as the Assistant Athletic Trainer at Andrew College in Cuthbert, Ga., for the past two seasons. In addition to his work with the athletes, he also supervised student trainers and taught Introduction to Athletic Training and Health and First Aid classes. Prior to his time at Andrew College, he spent time as a trainer in both a sports clinic working with local high schools athletes as well as at a wellness center performing rehabilitation and therapeutic exercises on clients."I would like to thank Nicky [DiMarzio] and the Wesleyan athletics department for having the confidence in me to be their next Head Athletic Trainer," remarked Shah. "The family environment that exists in the athletic department is what brought me to Wesleyan College. I am excited and look forward to being a part of this team."Shah began his collegiate career at Georgia Perimeter College, where he earned an Associate of Science in Health and Physical Education in 2008, before receiving his Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training from the University of North Florida in 2011. He went on to earn his Master of Science in Exercise Sports Physiology, Athletic Training Concentration, from West Chester University in 2015.
Chanel Davis, Head Volleyball Coach (top right)
Davis is a graduate of the University of West Alabama, where she played two years for the Tigers after beginning her collegiate playing career at Kennesaw State University. "I am extremely excited to be a part of the Wesleyan family," remarked Davis. "I am eager to begin building a long-lived, substantial culture at Wesleyan in the volleyball program. I believe that there is great potential within the institution and in the community and I feel very privileged to become a part of it. It is truly a blessing to have this opportunity to continue to do something I love and to be a positive influence for young women. I cannot wait to see the development of our program in the upcoming years. The goal is to continue to grow with my players as we all work together to improve by instilling hard work while creating strong-minded, goal oriented, and dedicated student-athletes." Davis joins the Wesleyan College staff after having served as both an assistant and interim head coach at West Virginia Wesleyan College last season. Prior to that, she spent a year on the coaching staff for the Cape Fear Volleyball Club in her hometown of Wilmington, NC, and three and a half years coaching for Club Crimson Volleyball in Tuscaloosa, AL.
Ian Doherty, Head Soccer Coach (bottom left)
Doherty has coached the sport on many levels, from youth and Olympic Development Programs to most recently serving as the Assistant Women's Soccer Coach at Wittenberg University. Doherty is a 2008 graduate of Otterbein University, where he was a four-year letterman for the Cardinals soccer team. Following graduation, he served as the Director of Youth Development and Education for the Pride Soccer Club in Winchester, OH, a position he has maintained until accepting this job at Wesleyan. Additionally, he served as the Assistant Men's Soccer Coach at Otterbein University for three years before shifting over to the women's side for two seasons at Wittenberg. Doherty remarked, "I am very excited to be the next Women's Soccer Coach at Wesleyan College. I want to thank Nicky DiMarzio and the rest of the search committee for their time and for this opportunity. Wesleyan has a strong reputation both academically and athletically for developing strong and smart young women, and I am happy to become a part of this culture." Doherty received his M.S. in Recreation and Sports Sciences with a concentration in Soccer Coaching from Ohio University in 2015. He also holds a USSF C License and an NSCAA Level 1 Goalkeeping Diploma.
Marissa Mariano, Head Softball Coach (bottom right)
Mariano is a 2010 graduate of Buffalo State College, where she played two seasons for the Bengals, and just this month, she has earned her Master's in Coaching and Athletic Administration from Concordia University Irvine. "I am thrilled and grateful for the opportunity to be a part of a college with such a strong tradition," remarked Mariano. "I look forward to building on a program that has the potential to be a major competitor within the USA South conference." Mariano has held a number of coaching positions at the collegiate, high school, and club levels since 2009. Most recently, she served as head coach at both Cedar Crest College in Allentown, PA (2016) and at Northampton Community College in Bethlehem, PA (2015). While at Cedar Crest, her team won the most games in college history and earned their first ever playoff victory.