In preparation for the upcoming 2019-2020 season, Villa Maria College has announced five more additions to its athletics department’s administrative and coaching staff. The following individuals will help lead the Villa Vikings’ growing athletics program:
- Desmond Randall, head men’s basketball coach
- Michael McCarthy, head women’s basketball coach
- Robert Cathcart, head cross country coach
- Jhon Guarin, sports information director
- Emmilly Hammann, athletic trainer
“This group brings an immense amount of coaching experience to Villa Maria,” said Amanda Janosky, director of athletics. “I am confident and enthusiastic about their abilities, mental fortitude and eagerness to grow their individual teams as well as the College’s overall program. The entire Vikings staff is dedicated to the success of our students – both in the classroom and as athletes. The sky is the limit.”
Desmond Randall will lead the men’s basketball team. Throughout his career, Randall has worked in several athletic and administrative roles, including assistant athletic director, academic advisor and coach. Randall’s experience includes Bishop Timon-St. Jude, Elite Prospect Training, the Buffalo Bills, United Youth Football League, New York State Senator Timothy M. Kennedy and more. Randall’s coaching experience is extensive and incudes Canisius High School, West Seneca West High School, Bishop Timon-St. Jude and more. He has helped lead basketball camps at SUNY Buffalo, Daemen College, Medaille College, the University of Maine and more. Randall is experienced in formulating training programs that develop an athlete’s fundamental skills and overall ability. Randall attended the University of Maine, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Journalism with a minor in Childhood Development. He was a four-year NCAA Division I athlete for the University’s football team. Randall works at the Western New York Maritime Charter High School, where he serves as the dean of discipline.
Michael McCarthy will lead the women’s basketball team. McCarthy comes to Villa with over 10 years of experience in coaching and managerial roles including head coach, assistant coach and skills trainer. He has helped train many student-athletes, leading them to state championships and AAU tournaments. McCarthy has led a women’s basketball team to a Top 5, Class B State ranking, a Top 5 Buffalo News Large School ranking, secured a Class B State Title, and placed as a Class B Federation Finalist. He is the president of Nationwide Recovery Group, a business he built from the ground up in 2008. His coaching experience includes Cardinal O’Hara High School and Mount Saint Mary Academy. An athlete himself, McCarthy earned several notable accolades, including Buffalo Urban Player of the Year, Monsignor Martin MVP, Top 100 Players in the United States Buffalo News, All Second Team, All Western New York and more.
Robert Cathcart will lead the men’s and women’s cross-country teams. Cathcart comes to Villa Maria from Cardinal O’Hara High School, where he has served as the head track and field coach since 2015. Before that, he had served as the school’s assistant track and field coach since 2010. Cathcart spent over 30 years with the Erie County Sheriff’s Department and is now in the reserve. He is certified as a USA Track and Field Coach, physical fitness instructor, American Red Cross-Standard First Aid and CPR instructor, and is certified by the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services.
Jhon Gurain will join the athletic administration as sports information director. Gurain comes to Villa Maria from SUNY Brockport, where he served as the interim director of athletic communications. In this role, he oversaw the media relations efforts for all of the school’s 23 sports. He is well versed in preparing tournament programs and directing tournaments, facilitating interviews and promoting collegiate sports programs as well as student-athletes. Gurain holds a Bachelor of Science in Sports Management and Communication and a Master of Science in Athletic Administration, both from SUNY Brockport. Guarin also has professional sports experience working with the Buffalo Bisons and Rochester Red Wings.
Emmilly Hammann will join the athletic administration as the athletic trainer. Hammann comes to the Vikings from Medaille College, where she served as the assistant athletic trainer. In this role, she provided practice and game coverage for the college’s Division III soccer, basketball, tennis, volleyball, baseball, softball, and bowling teams. In addition, Hammann managed the department’s concussion protocol, managed all orders from the teams’ supervising orthopedic physician, implemented all injuries and treatment plans. Prior to her employment at Medaille, Hammann served as an athletic trainer at UBMD Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, and as a certified athletic trainer at SUNY Buffalo. Hammann has years of experience as a graduate assistant to an athletic trainer for several division I teams at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, which she earned while working towards her Master of Science in Exercise Science. Hammann holds a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training from Canisius College. She is a licensed athletic trainer in New York State, as well as NATABOC (ATC) certified and first aid/CPR/AED certified.
To learn more about the Villa Vikings, visit www.villavikings.com.
