Indiana Tech AD set to retire in June | Sports | Journal Gazette - Fort Wayne Journal Gazette

Indiana Tech athletic director Debbie Warren will retire June 5, after more than 40 years working in college athletics and administration.

A search for her replacement will begin this spring.

“It has been my absolute delight to be the athletics director at Indiana Tech,” Warren said. “It is a wonderful institution and I have been so fortunate to work with so many talented and caring professionals who are fantastic people.”

Since Warren came to Tech in 2015, teams have claimed six national championships – in men's ice hockey, men's indoor track and field, men's outdoor track and field, and women's indoor track and field. Also, 19 student-athletes have won individual national championships and 288 athletes have garnered All-America honors.

Warren has spearheaded the revival of one program, men's volleyball, and Tech is soon to become the only university in Indiana to sponsor women's wrestling as a varsity sport.

Warren also was athletic director at Marymount University (2010-15), Hartwick College (2005-10) and Chowan University (2002-05).

BASEBALL

Giants hire female coach

Alyssa Nakken became the first female coach on a major-league staff in baseball history when she was named an assistant under new Giants manager Gabe Kapler. Major League Baseball confirmed Nakken is the first female coach in the majors. Nakken is a former softball standout at first base for Sacramento State who joined the club in 2014 as an intern in baseball operations. She and Mark Hallberg, who was also named as an assistant Thursday, will work to promote high performance along with a close-knit team atmosphere. Kapler said during the winter meetings that he would hire some coaches for nontraditional roles.

Springer, Astros agree to deal

George Springer, the World Series MVP of the tainted 2017 Houston Astros, and the team settled on a $21 million, one-year contract Thursday. Springer had asked for $22.5 million in salary arbitration last week and the Astros offered $17.5 million, making the settlement $1 million over the midpoint. He made $12.15 million last year.

BASKETBALL

Timberwolves, Hawks make deal

The Minnesota Timberwolves traded 11th-year veteran point guard Jeff Teague to his original team in a three-player swap of backups with the Atlanta Hawks, who sent shooting guard Allen Crabbe in return. The Timberwolves also dealt shooting guard Treveon Graham, creating a roster space for potential other transactions prior to the trade deadline Feb. 6.

COLLEGES

Ball State makes coaching move

Ball State football head coach Mike Neu announced that assistant coach Kevin Lynch has been promoted to offensive coordinator. He will also retain his duties as running backs coach. Lynch will be replacing his older brother, Joey Lynch, who recently accepted the offensive coordinator position at Colorado State.

LSU coordinator to coach Baylor

Baylor hired LSU defensive coordinator Dave Aranda as its new head coach Thursday, three days after the Tigers completed their undefeated national championship. Aranda, a head coach for the first time, takes over a Big 12 program in much better shape than it was when Matt Rhule arrived over three years ago.

HIGH SCHOOLS

Carroll athlete picks college

Carroll's Peyton Fosnough announced on Twitter that he will play college soccer at Bellarmine University.

IHSAA leader to retire Aug. 1

Bobby Cox, the longtime Indiana High School Athletic Association commissioner, said he plans to retire this summer. He made the announcement at the association's regularly scheduled meeting and intends to leave the post Aug. 1. The IHSAA will begin the search for Cox's successor following the executive committee's February meeting. Cox, 63, took over for Blake Ress on Feb. 1, 2011.