New Athletic Director Enjoying Frantic Pace of Post-Season Play, Planning

Thomas Zakowski, Staff Writer, Journalism I

During journalism class last Friday, Ms. Steph Mathu, NDA’s new athletic director, highlighted the Tritons’ fall athletic season and offered insight into her new work-life. 

Mathu got right to work as the athletic director, setting the stage for Notre Dame’s fall sports. Currently she has been focused on the state tournament events for each fall sport.

“At this time of the year, anybody can beat anybody at any time,” said Mathu.

Boys volleyball and football are among the sports that are still in contention for a state title. The cross country boys recently competed at state over the weekend, finishing fourth in Division 2. Two cross country girls, Molly Desotell and Jenna Cuene, also participated in individual state.  Cuene, a junior, won the FRCC conference meet with the fastest time, but it was freshman Desotell who shone at state, finishing 12th.

It was a very busy week for Mathu with all of the tournament play for fall sports.  Boys soccer lost 1-0 in overtime in sectional finals on Saturday, and girls volleyball lost in a fifth set against Luxemburg-Casco at Oconto Falls last Thursday.

Boys volleyball will play Tuesday night at 7 p.m. in Kaukauna, and the football team will play Friday night at West DePere.

Something new this fall, a promotion from the soccer program, was free admission to all Notre Dame students for the sectional final here at NDA’s Ted Fritsch Field.

Mathu also gave insight into her role as athletic director and what she does behind the scenes.   

“There’s always something going on,” she said.

Mathu has to plan and schedule sporting events for the next season as well as the current season, hire officials and sign contracts for all the sporting events. She also fields calls from businesses that want their products associated with Notre Dame athletics. On top of that, Ms. Mathu makes appearances at as many NDA sporting events as she can.  

Mathu’s resume touts D-1 experience herself. She played basketball as a shooting guard at the University of Dayton and prior to that she was an all-conference high school star at Preble in three sports:  volleyball, basketball and softball.  Her high school volleyball team won the state championship.

Most recently, before her new role at NDA, Mathu coached numerous sports at Bayport.

Mathu has high expectations for NDA athletics and looks forward to basketball and hockey this winter season.