NEW ORLEANS – Assistant Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics Brett Simpson announced several staff promotions and expanded responsibilities on Monday as the Wolf Pack continues to strengthen its administrative structure and position the department for continued growth and transition to the NCAA.
Jesse Zabal has been promoted to Associate Athletics Director/Senior Woman Administrator, while Kellie Kennedy has been named Assistant Athletics Director in addition to continuing as head coach of the Loyola women's basketball program. Jason Quigley has also been promoted to Coordinator of Athletic Communications.
The expanded roles recognize three longtime members of the Loyola Athletics family and their continued contributions to the Wolf Pack, while providing additional leadership and support across the department's 22 varsity sports.
The promotions come at an important time for Loyola Athletics as the Wolf Pack continues to build its administrative infrastructure and prepare for its transition to NCAA Division II. The expanded leadership roles will provide additional support for coaches and student-athletes while allowing the department to continue advancing its mission of developing the whole student-athlete through competition, education and service.
Jesse Zabal, Associate Athletics Director/Senior Woman Administrator
Zabal, who has been a member of the Loyola Athletics staff since 2017, will take on an expanded role overseeing additional sports and working more closely with coaches and student-athletes throughout the department. In addition to her sport supervision responsibilities, she will continue to serve as an advisor to the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and provide increased oversight of the student-athlete experience, which includes leadership development, academic success and student-athlete welfare. Zabal will also play a role in identifying and developing revenue-generating opportunities for the department.
"Jesse has been an important leader within our athletics department and a tremendous advocate for our student-athletes," Simpson said. "The added role of Senior Woman Administrator reflects both the impact she has already made and the confidence we have in her ability to help shape the future of Loyola Athletics. Her commitment to serving others, pursuing excellence and caring for the whole person reflects our Jesuit mission, and I'm excited to see her impact grow in this expanded role."
Adding the Senior Woman Administrator title, Zabal will serve as a key member of the department's leadership team while maintaining a student-centered approach to athletics administration. Her responsibilities will include increased sport supervision and regular meetings with coaches to provide guidance, support and accountability.
Zabal's approach to leadership reflects Loyola's Jesuit mission and the principle of cura personalis - care for the whole person - as she works to support student-athletes both in competition and throughout their Loyola experience.
"I look forward to serving the athletic department and our student-athletes as Senior Woman Administrator," Zabal said. "It is an honor to continue to serve the Wolf Pack, promote all of our programs, and grow in my leadership skills and abilities. I appreciate AVP Brett Simpson, VP Dr. Bourque, and President Cole for entrusting me with this role as we continue to elevate Wolf Pack Athletics."
In addition to her work within Loyola Athletics, Zabal has been an active leader in her profession and has continued to develop her leadership skills through involvement with professional organizations and leadership initiatives. She served as Co-Chair of the SSAC Women's Leadership Committee, an NAIA subcommittee member for Minority Opportunities Athletic Association (MOAA), and the SSAC eligibility committee.Â
Kellie Kennedy, Assistant Athletics Director
Kennedy transitions from the role of SWA to Assistant Athletics Director while continuing to lead the Wolf Pack women's basketball program.
"Kellie's impact on Loyola Athletics is difficult to overstate," Simpson said. "Over nearly two decades, she has built women's basketball into the most successful program in our department, winning 14 conference championships while consistently developing student-athletes on and off the court. As we transition to the NCAA, the demands of the SWA role make it increasingly challenging to balance with leading a championship-level program. This move allows Kellie to continue leading a championship-level program while expanding her administrative impact through sport supervision. Her experience, perspective and commitment to Loyola's student-centered mission will be invaluable as we move forward."
Now entering her 19th season as Loyola's head women's basketball coach, Kennedy has established herself as one of the most successful coaches in program and conference history. During her tenure, she has guided the Wolf Pack to 14 conference championships, including regular-season and tournament titles, while consistently developing student-athletes on and off the court.
In her expanded administrative role, Kennedy will assume additional sport supervision responsibilities and work directly with coaches across the department. Her extensive experience leading a successful collegiate program, combined with her commitment to Loyola's student-centered mission, will allow her to bring a coach's perspective to the department's administrative leadership.
"This university and the Wolf Pack have been such an important part of my life for nearly two decades, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to continue serving our student-athletes and our department in a larger capacity," Kennedy said. "I'm especially excited about where Loyola Athletics is headed and the opportunities ahead as we transition to NCAA Division II. While I'll always be passionate about leading our women's basketball program, I'm looking forward to supporting our entire department, working alongside our coaches and staff, and helping position Wolf Pack Athletics for continued success."
Kennedy's promotion adds another longtime coach and leader to the Wolf Pack's administrative structure as Loyola prepares for the next chapter of its athletic future.
Jason Quigley, Coordinator of Athletic Communications
Quigley has been promoted to Coordinator of Athletic Communications as he enters his 10th year with Loyola Athletics.
"Jason has been a valuable asset to the Wolf Pack Athletics Department for nearly a decade, and I'm excited to finally see the fruits of his labor rewarded," Assistant Athletic Director for Communications Camal Petro said. "He's proven his ability to take on a wide range of athletic communications responsibilities while seemingly effortlessly handling his role as the play-by-play broadcaster for home volleyball, basketball, baseball and swimming events. I can't wait to see him continue to grow in this role and help us take our communications efforts to another level."
Over the past decade, Quigley has become a versatile member of the Wolf Pack communications team, contributing across nearly every area of Loyola's athletic communications operation. In his expanded role, he will continue to provide play-by-play commentary for Loyola volleyball, men's and women's basketball, baseball and swimming while helping expand the department's broadcast presence across multiple platforms.
Quigley has also played a key role in developing Loyola's student involvement in broadcasting, helping train students in both broadcast production and on-air opportunities. His work extends beyond traditional communications responsibilities, including coverage of tennis and beach volleyball, photography, feature writing, statistical resources and the creation of sport-specific statistics pages and record books.
He has also become a familiar face and voice behind the department's popular "Pack Facts," using Loyola's extensive statistical and historical records to highlight the accomplishments of Wolf Pack student-athletes and teams.
"As I enter my 10th year at Loyola, I have really come to love being a part of the Loyola community," Quigley said. "I'm excited to continue my work with the Pack in an expanded role, and I feel fortunate to be able to keep working with great people to help spotlight our student-athletes. I also especially want to thank Camal Petro and Brett Simpson for their continued trust and belief in me over the years."
About Loyola University New Orleans
Loyola University New Orleans is a Jesuit, Catholic university located in the heart of New Orleans. Grounded in a tradition of academic excellence and a commitment to educating the whole person, Loyola prepares students to lead lives of purpose, service, and impact. Through a rigorous liberal arts foundation and a wide range of professional programs, Loyola equips graduates to think critically, act ethically, and contribute meaningfully to a global society.
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The Wolf Pack Athletics sponsors 22 intercollegiate programs competing in the NAIA for one final year before transitioning to the NCAA Division II in the fall of 2027. Guided by the university's Jesuit mission, Wolf Pack student-athletes strive for excellence in competition, the classroom, and service to the community while pursuing a transformative educational experience.
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