MURFREESBORO – His leave-taking was a short stay.

After 15 months away, Patrick Mashuda is back at Chowan University, approved Wednesday during a meeting of the school’s Board of Trustees as the university’s new Vice President for Athletics. University President Dr. M. Christopher White announced the appointment campus-wide shortly thereafter. Mashuda becomes the ninth Athletics VP in the school’s modern era.

Prior to accepting an assistant coaching position at Kent State University in Kent, Ohio in May of 2016, Mashuda spent a dozen years in the Chowan Athletic Department. Those duties ranged from head women’s basketball coach from 2004-2016, and also serving as the Associate Athletic Director for Compliance.

“I received a call from (the President) and we talked for a little while that day,” Mashuda revealed in an interview last weekend. “We were then able to meet several days later and the next thing you know he was able to make the recommendation to the Board of Trustees and it all became official on Wednesday.”

Mashuda said in 2016 that leaving Murfreesboro and the University was ‘bittersweet’ because as much love as he professed for the Blue-and-White, a chance at coaching at the Division-I level was fulfilling a lifelong dream. Last season he joined Todd Starkey on the bench with the Lady Golden Flashes.

“There are a lot of familiarities,” he maintained. “Being away for that year was good for me just to understand what I was missing. Coming back in the new role is exciting, and I’m looking forward to it and the challenges.”

A six-time Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Coach of the Week, Mashuda guided Chowan to two semifinal appearances in the conference tournament and leading the team to an NCAA Atlantic Regional Tournament appearance in 2016, the first ever appearance in school history, and the program’s first-ever 20-win season with a 20-9 overall record. In addition, the team tied for first place in the division as a second-year member in the CIAA, and Mashuda is credited with directing one of the largest comeback wins in CIAA Tournament history (19 points) under his guidance. He went on to recruit and develop eight all-conference selections, three CIAA Rookies of the Year and six members of the league’s All-Rookie team.

Since taking over the program he accumulated a 154-176 overall coaching record and earned his 100^th career win over Elizabeth City State in January 2012. Prior to Chowan’s entry into the CIAA in 2010, Mashuda took his team to the National Christian Collegiate Athletic Association (NCCAA) South Region Tournament in three of his first five seasons as head coach.

Mashuda also aided in the school’s transition from NCAA Division-III to NCAA DII as Director of Compliance and served as part of the athletic department administrative team as Associate Director of Athletics until his departure.

“Anytime there’s a transition there are things to take care of,” he said. “Right now I’m kind on in a fact-finding process in talking to coaches, talking to the administrative staff within the athletic department, talking to other vice-presidents on campus; just getting a feel for where the department is and how going forward we can make things better.”

In addition, Mashuda says he understands the importance of the off-the-court aspects of the job.

“I’m following two pretty good people who’ve done an outstanding job here in Dennis Helsel and Ozzie McFarland,” Mashuda noted. “Each did it in their own way, but each was able to move the department forward. While I have to keep an eye on programs, I still have to keep making sure the department is getting better.”

The Pittsburgh native received an associate degree from Butler Community College before receiving a bachelor’s degree in management from Robert Morris College in 1992 where he was also a two-year member of the school’s golf team. Mashuda then went on to earn a master’s degree in sport management from Slippery Rock in 2005. He went on to serve in administration at NCAA DIII La Roche College (Pa.) and Penn State-Behrend. His knowledge and experience will help lead the Chowan University Athletic Department to new heights.

“I am absolutely thrilled to bring Pat Mashuda back to Chowan where he belongs,” said Dr. White. “He brings to his new role a great deal of knowledge about NCAA and conference rules and guidelines. He also knows Chowan, and is aligned with our mission and values.”

“I always hoped my journey with Chowan would continue,” Mashuda said. “Even when I left, I felt there would be a return trip. I just didn’t know it would be this quick. Chowan really is home for me, and I’m excited to be back.”