HOUGHTON, N.Y. – The Houghton Department of Athletics is pleased to announce four staff additions for 2021-22.
 
The moves include three new assistant coaches and a current assistant transitioning to a new role.

Nathan Crews and Rudy Alvarez join the track and field program as graduate assistants, while Sophia Andre has been named a graduate assistant coach for the women's soccer program. In addition, current men's basketball assistant coach Isaiah Specks will continue in that role but will also be an assistant to the athletic director as part of the NCAA Women and Ethnic Minorities internship program.
 
Crews is a 2019 graduate of Piedmont College, where he earned a degree in exercise science. Since graduation he served as a physical education teacher and head cross country and track and field coach at Highland Christian Academy in Valdosta, Ga. While a student-athlete, Crews was a member of the Piedmont cross country and track and field teams and also gained coaching and administrative experience as a student worker in the college's athletics department.
 
Alvarez comes to Houghton after graduating from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff with a degree in health and physical education/leisure recreation this spring. During his final semester, he served as a coaching intern with the track and field program, assisting with meet preparation, recruiting and other administrative duties. As a student-athlete, Alvarez competed in long jump, triple jump, high jump and sprints. He is a USATF Level 1 Certified coach.
 
Andre is a 2021 graduate of Covenant College, where she earned a degree in business while participating with the women's soccer program. She was a two-year captain and also served as a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. Andre was a USA South All-West Division First Team selection in 2019, earned United Soccer Coaches Scholar-Athlete honors and was a USA South All-Academic team member. She also served for two years as a student assistant to the athletic director.
 
"We are excited about this new group of assistants we have added this year. Each brings a new experience and perspective that we are thrilled to add to our programs," said Director of Athletics Matthew Webb. "Each new coach understands our departmental motto of Excellence for the Glory of God and we are excited to see how they will impact our student-athletes both on and off the field."
 
In addition to the new additions, Isaiah Specks will add administrative duties to his role, including responsibilities in event management, sports information, compliance, student worker scheduling and diversity initiatives. Specks joined the department in the fall of 2020 as a men's basketball assistant coach. He was an assistant coach for the women's basketball program at Trinity University for one season after finishing his four-year playing career. He holds a degree in psychology from Trinity.