FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: February 1, 2008
CONTACT: Jeff Duggan, SID
PHONE: (303) 273-3095

Colorado School of Mines adds three coaches

GOLDEN, Colo. - The Colorado School of Mines Department of Athletics has added three new coaches to its staff, effective February 1st, 2008, as announced today by Director of Athletics Tom Spicer.

Bob Benson begins his first season as the Orediggers' Associate Head Football Coach / Defensive Coordinator in 2008. During the 2006 and 2007 seasons, Benson was the defensive coordinator and secondary coach at Towson University. Prior to his arrival at Towson, Benson spent 13 years (1993-05) as the head football coach at Georgetown University. From 1990-92, Benson was the defensive coordinator at Johns Hopkins University. Before his arrival at Johns Hopkins, Benson was the defensive coordinator and secondary coach at Worcester Polytechnic Institute from 1988-89. Benson began his collegiate coaching career as a graduate assistant at the University of Albany in 1986, spending one year as a defensive backfield coach and one season coaching the defensive line.

"Bob brings a tremendous amount of experience to our coaching staff," said CSM Head Football Coach Bob Stitt, who is now in his ninth season guiding the Oredigger football team. "Bob has a great defensive mind and is considered one of the top recruiters in the country."

Heather Roberts begins her first season as the Assistant Volleyball Coach at Colorado School of Mines in 2008. Prior to her arrival at CSM, Roberts spent the 2007 season as an assistant coach at the Missouri University of Science and Technology (formerly University of Missouri - Rolla). From 2005 to 2007, Roberts served in the capacities of assistant coach and interim head coach at Bemidji State University.

"I am excited to have Heather join the CSM volleyball coaching staff," said first-year Head Coach Jamie Skadeland. "Coming from the Missouri University of Science and Technology, Heather brings valuable experience recruiting for an engineering university. Heather will contribute to the discipline and energy of our team while continuing to raise the level of our play."

Lori Scheider returns to Colorado School of Mines for her second stint as an Assistant Women's Soccer Coach in 2008. Scheider, who previously served as an assistant women's soccer coach at Mines during the 2005 season, spent the 2006 and 2007 seasons as an assistant coach at the University of Wyoming. During the 2004 season, Scheider was an assistant coach at the University of Idaho.

"It is exciting to have Lori back at Mines," said Frank Kohlenstein, who begins his fourth season as the Head Women's Soccer Coach at CSM in 2008. "Lori knows the program and how seriously the student-athletes take their studies and their soccer. Lori will bring the experience that she had at the NCAA Division I level to help our program take another step forward."

For more information, please contact CSM Sports Information Director Jeff Duggan at (303) 273-3095 or jduggan@mines.edu.

-- OREDIGGERS --