Westminster College has hired Justin Zackal as sports information director. Zackal starts June 1 at Westminster and replaces Joe Onderko, who resigned after 11 years in the position to become executive director of the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC).
Zackal comes to Westminster from NCAA Division I West Virginia University, where he has served as a graduate assistant in the sports communications office for the past two years. During that time, he has served as the primary media relations contact for the women's gymnastics and rifle programs, while also traveling with women's basketball and assisting with football and men's basketball. His 2005 WVU gymnastics guide was voted 'Best in the Nation,' while two feature stories earned 'Best in the District' laurels from the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). Zackal served concurrently as information director for the East Atlantic Gymnastics League during the past season.
Previously, Zackal spent two years as the first-ever full-time sports information director at his alma mater, Waynesburg College (2002-04). During that time, he was responsible for all publicity efforts for the school's 15-sport NCAA Division III athletic program. Zackal has also worked part-time as a sports writer for the Herald-Standard newspaper in Uniontown, Pa., since 2000 and as a gameday statistician for the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers since 2002.
A resident of Garard's Fort, Pa., Zackal earned his bachelor's degree in communication from Waynesburg in 2003 and will complete his master's in journalism from WVU in July.
Founded in 1852 and related to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Westminster College is ranked among national leaders in graduation rate performance, according to U.S. News Guide to America's Best Colleges, and is one of the most affordable national liberal arts colleges in Pennsylvania. Westminster is also honored as one of 'The Best 361 Colleges' and 'Best 115 in the Mid-Atlantic' by The Princeton Review, and was recognized by the Templeton Guide as a 'Character Building College.'
Nearly 1,600 students benefit from individualized attention from dedicated faculty, while choosing from 40 majors and nearly 100 organizations on the New Wilmington, Pa. campus.