Aug. 11, 2005
ORLANDO - UCF women's golf coach Jill Fjelstul announced Thursday that she is resigning her post in order to take a position as assistant professor at UCF's Rosen College of Hospitality Management. In that role, Fjelstul will be responsible for teaching golf management classes, as well as working on the application package that will be submitted to the PGA in hopes of securing a professional golf management degree at the college.
"I am very excited about this faculty position at the Rosen College of Hospitality Management," Fjelstul said. "It's a wonderful campus and a great learning environment for the students interested in the hospitality industry."
Fjelstul, an LPGA teaching professional, has coached the women's golf team for nine years and during that time has led the team to two conference championships and three NCAA Regional appearances. She was twice named the Atlantic Sun Conference's Coach of the Year.
"It's been an honor to serve as UCF's head women's golf coach since September 1996," Fjelstul added. "I will keep a watchful eye on the women's golf team and know they will represent UCF athletics very successfully. I look forward to a continued relationship with the athletics department and, without a doubt, will promote the hospitality management program to each team."
Fjelstul has been pursuing a doctoral degree through UCF's College of Education the past two years. She has completed all the required courses for an Ed.D. in curriculum and instruction and is on track to finish her doctoral dissertation in May. She will be making a return to a faculty position after having served as an instructor and career counselor at Lake Sumter Community College for several years before taking over the women's golf program at UCF.
"Jill has done a great job representing the UCF Athletics Association in the way she conducted her program," UCF director of athletics Steve Orsini said. "She achieved a lot of success during her tenure as golf coach and I wish her the best in her new position."
Fjelstul was recently inducted into the University of Northern Iowa's Athletics Hall of Fame where she is a former student-athlete and head coach and where she earned both a bachelor's and master's degree.
A national search for a new women's golf coach will begin immediately.