Zimba brings a wide range of athletics experience to the Purple Aces

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Evansville Director of Athletics Dr. Kenneth “Ziggy” Siegfried has announced the hiring of Joel Zimba as the Executive Deputy Athletics Director for External Relations.  Zimba joins the Purple Aces following a 5-year stint as the District Director of Athletics & Activities at Verona (Wisc.) Area School District.

“We are excited to welcome Joel Zimba and his family to Evansville. Joel is a leader with infectious energy, values teamwork and relationships, and understands the big picture,” Siegfried exclaimed.  “His experience as a District Athletics Director for the last five years will serve him well in this important role for UE Athletics.”

In his time at Verona, Zimba spearheaded all facets of developing, implementing, and improving school athletics programs and events.  One of the main highlights of his tenure was his work in orchestrating a large-scale capital project that included the building of a new high school.  The project, which included a voter approval of $183M referenda, saw him monitor the construction of a competition pool, cross country course, field house, all exterior fields (baseball, soccer, football, and lacrosse) along with facilities for wrestling, gymnastics, weight, and cardio.

“I humbly thank Dr. Ziggy Siegfried and President (Christopher M.) Pietruszkiewicz for the opportunity to become the Executive Deputy Athletics Director for External Relations at the University of Evansville,” Zimba said.  “Ziggy has transformed UE into one of the premier athletic departments in the country and, more importantly, has created a culture built on enthusiasm, hard work, and integrity.”

“I am truly blessed to be joining UE at a time of such positive momentum. I am eagerly looking forward to serving our outstanding student-athletes alongside our incredible coaches and staff and contributing to providing an exceptional student-athlete experience,” Zimba added.  “My family is excited to embrace the UE spirit and become part of this vibrant community. Go Purple Aces!”

Along with the new facilities, Zimba had a hands-on approach in multiple facets within the district.  He encouraged all students to participate in athletics by executing programming for over 25 sports and more than 50 club teams.  He directly supervised, evaluated, and professionally developed more than 120 employees district-wide including coaches, administrators, and support staff.

His work resulted in the creation of four part-time District administrative athletic positions, which enhanced the vision, mission, and initiatives.  Zimba negotiated a district-wide co-curricular compensation increase of 12% to recruit, retain, and develop talented coaches and staff.

Prior to assuming his role at Verona Area School District, Zimba held three positions at Valparaiso University between 2015 and 2019.  While working towards his Master’s, Zimba served as a Men’s Basketball Graduate Assistant from 2015-16 where he completed planning, managerial, and administrative duties for the men’s basketball program.

He was elevated to the Director of Men’s Basketball Operations at Valpo in 2016 and held that position until 2018.  Zimba’s responsibilities in that position included budget administration, facility supervision, equipment inventory control, team travel coordination, development of the practice schedule, and summer camp management.

Zimba’s final year at Valparaiso saw him serve as the Assistant Director of Annual Giving where he played a pivotal role in sourcing and soliciting annual gift commitments up to $10K.  He supported the President Circle and accomplished a goal of 125 new donors while helping senior executives raise over $700K from over 2,000 donors.

In 2016, he earned his Master’s of Science in Sports Administration from Valparaiso while earning a Bachelor of Letters & Science in Afro-American Studies Intergroup Relations from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2011.  Joel and wife Krystin have a four-year-old son – Tayden.

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING…

Dr. Treymane Clardy, Verona Area School District – Superintendent

“Joel Zimba has been a cornerstone of our community, exemplifying academic and athletic excellence throughout his tenure as our Athletic Director in the Verona Area School District. His unwavering commitment to sportsmanship, ethics, and service to others has profoundly influenced our student-athletes and the broader community. We are immensely proud of his achievements and wish him continued success in his new role as Executive Deputy Athletic Director for External Relations at the University of Evansville.”

Chad Wiese, Verona Area School District – Deputy Superintendent

“Joel Zimba is a huge loss for our school district. His work ethic, technical abilities, and, most of all, his interpersonal skills will be greatly missed. Joel’s time in the Verona Area School District resulted in historic achievements and participation rates in our athletic programs. I wish him the best as the Executive Deputy Director for External Relations. Joel’s hire at the University of Evansville will make an immediate impact. I’m confident great things lie ahead.”

David Ragland, University of Evansville – Head Men’s Basketball Coach

“I met Joel 8 years ago and had the honor of working with him for two years at Valparaiso University. I had the opportunity to watch how passionate he is about the student-athlete experience. Joel is selfless and a tireless worker. He is honest and will do what is right no matter the situation. Joel embodies all the qualities of the culture Dr Ziggy Siegfried has worked so hard to create for our athletic department here at UE. Dr Ziggy Siegfried has created great momentum within our athletic department, built on positivity, problem-solving, and connectivity through effective communication. I’m excited to watch our athletics department improve with Joel Zimba’s addition and look forward to working alongside him.”

Steve Watson, Loyola Chicago – Director of Athletics

“Evansville is getting one of the best in Joel Zimba. With his background and experience in athletics administration, there’s no doubt he’ll do great things for the Purple Aces. Congratulations to Ziggy and his staff for landing a good one!”

Jackie Manuel, American University – Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach

“Joel Zimba is a great friend and person. Joel is a hard worker and consummate professional who strives to serve others every day. EU is getting a high-character person that is committed to excellence.”

Jamie Sims, Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District – District Director of Athletics and Activities

“I had the great pleasure to meet and begin working with Joel Zimba in 2020 as an athletic director, and since then, I have had the opportunity to partner with and create a meaningful relationship that surpasses the world of education-based athletics. Mr. Zimba’s leadership skills and ability to get the best out of the most as a part of his character, leadership, and overall care and concern for others continue to inspire and motivate me to do precisely that in my current capacity. Joel’s passion for leading others and ensuring equitable outcomes for all has resonated with me and overflowed into the Big 8 conference here in Wisconsin. Today, I am a better leader because I have met and worked alongside Joel Zimba. He has definitely left his life, print, and legacy in Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletics.

Gage Bobe named Men’s Basketball Graduate Assistant

Bobe played five seasons for the Purple Aces

 EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Gage Bobe’s journey with the University of Evansville men’s basketball program began as a walk-on in 2019.  After earning a scholarship, Bobe worked his way into the starting lineup on a regular basis.  With his playing career complete, Bobe will remain with the program as a graduate assistant.

“Gage has been a part of the Aces program since he entered college 6 years ago and that will continue.  He embodies all that we look for in our program when my staff and I are recruiting,” Purple Aces head coach David Ragland said.  “We want self-starters, everyday guys, hard workers, consistent workers, vocal leaders, individuals willing to sacrifice for the greater good, and individuals focused on leaving a situation better than they found it.”

“Those that know his story know that he came to UE as a walk on then earned a scholarship.  Gage didn’t stop there, he then earned playing time and eventually a starting role on our team. He was not given anything along the way, he worked his tail off to create opportunities for himself,” Ragland continued.  “As my staff and I learned Gage more, we admired not only his work ethic but also his knowledge of the game of basketball. As time went on and Sammy was towards the completion of his graduate assistantship, it became clear to my staff and I that Gage was the perfect replacement. We are very much excited to have Gage remain here at the University of Evansville in the role as our Graduate Assistant.”

Bobe improved in each season with the UE program.  The 2022-23 campaign may have been his best as he completed the conference portion of the season converting 44.0% of his attempts, tops in the Missouri Valley Conference.  Starting 31 games, Bobe averaged 5.6 points and set his career scoring mark with 22 points at Valparaiso.

“Accepting the position of GA at UE was a no brainer when Coach Ragland offered me this opportunity. I am going on year 6 now in the city of Evansville and this place feels like home. All I have ever wanted since I have been here was to see this program succeed,” Bobe exclaimed. “When I had the opportunity to continue to accomplish that goal, saying yes was easy. I believe Coach Ragland and the rest of the staff are the perfect people to get this program on track and I am thrilled to be part of it. This new chapter of my life is not just a professional milestone but a personal mission to give back to a program that gave me so much.”

His sharpshooting continued in 2023-24 as he connected on a 3-pointer in 15 of the final 16 games while chipping in an average of 4.1 PPG.  Over the final 11 games of the season, he drained 22 of his 48 outside attempts.

VINCENNES, Ind. – The three-time defending Region 24 Champion Vincennes University volleyball team picked up another big addition this week to close out their 2024 recruiting class with the addition of outside hitter Karen Kodi.

Kodi is a five-foot 11 outside hitter that comes to Vincennes University from West Carrollton High School just outside of Dayton, Ohio.

“We needed to recruit pins,” VUVB Head Coach Gary Sien said. “We graduated several from last year’s team. We have a lot of middles returning, but it was definitely a priority after losing that many outsides and right sides, the pins were really a priority in recruiting.”

“The thing that I like about Karen is that she can hit on either side,” Sien added. “She does play six rotations. We’re always looking for six rotation players. I just really like the way she plays. She plays with an attitude and I like the way that she carries herself on the court. She has a real presence on the court and if we do end up using her on the left side, you need to have that. You have to go up there with the mentality of getting a good swing on the ball and not making an error because the sets are coming from all over the court.”

“We will have a tough competition to replace our two outsides from last year,” Sien said. “We had two outsides that were six rotation players for two years. To have both of them gone, it’s been a few years since we’ve had to replace both at the same time. How tough it’s going to be to replace those two is a big compliment to both Audrey Buis and Paige Parlanti for their consistency and their leadership.”

“We’re not just looking to replace the positional skills, but we are also replacing the intangibles too,” Sien added. “Not that they have to step up right away and be a leader from day one, but that wouldn’t hurt either. We are looking for Karen to definitely be in that mix, possibly on the left side or the right side depending on who goes where.”

Kodi had a stellar senior season for the Pirates last year, finishing with 221 kills, 393 digs, 95 aces and 43 blocks while also finishing with a .380 hitting percentage.

Kodi was named the Team MVP last season for West Carrollton High School and was also an Honorable Mention for the 2023 All-Miami Valley League team.

Kodi also spent time playing for the Western Buckeye Volleyball Club in Fairfield, Ohio just outside of Cincinnati.

“Karen is going to a program where she can be a major contributor to the team’s success and to a team where she can be a star,” Kodi’s High School Coach Rob Hays said. “Karen is the best athlete I have ever coached. She works hard and plays harder. She makes any team instantly better.”

Kodi’s addition closes out the 2024 recruiting class for the Trailblazers as the VUVB team begins to set their sites on the first day of official practice on Aug. 1, the first scrimmage Saturday, Aug. 10 ta St. Mary-of-the-Woods and the start of the 2024 regular season Friday, Aug. 23 when VU hosts Region 24 opponent Wabash Valley College at 7 p.m. eastern.

The Vincennes University Athletic Department is excited to welcome Karen Kodi to the 2024 Trailblazer recruiting class.