Health & Fitness
Jacqueline Hoak Named Director of Athletics at Prairie State College
Prairie State College (PSC) recently named Jacqueline Hoak director of athletics for the college. She has been interim director since October 2013, overseeing the Athletic Department and more than 120 student-athletes at PSC.
She is responsible for planning, administering and directing the college’s intercollegiate athletics, intramural and recreation programs and for coordinating practice and game schedules with the Field House Complex management team. She provides overall leadership and guidance to the athletic department, as well as generates private/corporate support for the PSC intercollegiate teams and the PSC Foundation.
Hoak came to PSC from St. Alexander School in Palos Heights, where she taught fourth through eighth grade social studies, English and reading for four years.
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She has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Iowa. While a student there, Hoak played volleyball and was a member of the Iowa Student Athlete Advisory Committee (ISAAC). She also volunteered for several adolescent community outreach organizations and served as chair of Hawkeye P.R.I.D.E., a character building youth program.
Hoak earned a master’s degree in higher education from Loyola University Chicago while teaching at St. Alexander. During the master’s program, she transitioned her focus from teaching to higher education administration.
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In fall 2011, Hoak accepted an assistant women’s volleyball coaching position at PSC, and helped earn the program’s first ever conference and regional titles as well as a berth in the NJCAA National Tournament. In July 2012, she transitioned to a full-time position at PSC as athletic enrollment and academic advisor and head women’s volleyball coach, positions she maintained until accepting the interim director appointment in 2013.
“Having played volleyball at the University of Iowa, and as a former member of ISAAC, I understand the unique circumstances and challenges faced by the student-athlete. I have made education my focus as a professional, and have dedicated my career to helping students find themselves,” Hoak said.
