Saluki Athletics names Alexis Mihelich Women's Golf Head Coach
08/05/2011 | 12:00:00 | Women's Golf
Aug. 5, 2011
By Tom Weber
SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - Alexis Mihelich has been named women's golf head coach at Southern Illinois University, the school announced Friday. She succeeds Diane Daugherty, who retired in July after 25 years as head coach at SIU.
A member of the LPGA and a former Teaching Professional at Green Garden Golf Academy, Mihelich has served the last four years as women's golf head coach at Chicago State. At CSU, she turned a last-place program into one that competes for tournament titles. Her 2011 squad won three events and finished in the top three of four tournaments, including a third-place finish at the Great West Conference Championship.
In 2010, Mihelich was honored with the Huskie Classic Coaches Award, becoming the first coach outside of the Mid-American Conference to win the honor since 2003.
"The dramatic improvement at Chicago State under Alexis' watch is a testament to her ability to lead a collegiate golf program," said Director of Athletics Mario Moccia. "During the interview process, I was impressed with her vision for our golf program. She is committed to helping young women become the best they can be -- academically, socially and competitively on the golf course."
Both Chicago State and Southern Illinois competed in the same 11-team tournament hosted by Northern Illinois last March. The Salukis finished fourth and the Cougars placed sixth. CSU competes below the NCAA scholarship limit, though.
"I look forward to being a member of the Saluki community and will work tirelessly to maintain the rich legacy of women's sports that has been created by coaches who have come before me," Mihelich said. "My goal is to lead the SIU's women's golf program to a team title in the Missouri Valley Conference."
Mihelich has family ties to Southern Illinois. Her uncle, Skip Cosgrove, was an assistant softball coach for 22 years before retiring in 2010. Several relatives, including her brother, Adam, are Saluki grads.
Mihelich played Division I golf at the University of New Orleans, was team captain her senior year and represented the squad on the Student Athlete Advisory Committee. She graduated with Honors in 2005 with a degree in Education.
Among her amateur accomplishments are winning the Midwest Women's College Golf Tour and playing in the 2008 LPGA T&CP National Championship.
Her coaching resume includes assistant positions at the University of Saint Francis (2005-07) and Robert Morris College (2007). She also served as interim men's golf head coach at Chicago State (2009-10).
Throughout her career, Mihelich has demonstrated a commitment to leadership and volunteerism. She completed the United States Army Leadership Training Course in 2003 and is a lifetime member of the Girl Scouts of America. She provided the golf swing model for the arcade game "Golden Tee Live" that was featured in the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago. She was also the personal golf instructor for three years for late comedian Bernie Mac and a consultant on the set of his movie "Soul Men."
