Clarke Athletics brings in new program leadership as Plocharczyk, Robb, and Hartley lead Pride Esports, Cross Country, and Golf into 2024-25

DUBUQUE, Iowa - Nearing closer to the beginning of the Fall 2024 semester, Clarke University Athletics and Director of Athletics Curt Long are excited to announce the addition of three new faces to take charge of athletic programs for the 2024-25 season as Peter Plocharczyk was named the Director of Esports, Paddy Robb joins the Pride staff as the latest Head Coach for Cross Country, and Brock Hartley becomes the new Director of Golf for the Pride.

Plocharczyk elevates to the Director of Esports following a semester as the graduate assistant of the Esports program in the Spring 2024 semester. 

"Peter takes a program that has had success in its few short years," Long said. "He is eager to determine the program's future path and continue its growth."

Prior to joining CU's staff, Plocharczyk began his college career at Long Island University where he pursued a double major and graduated in 2023 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Sports Management.

At LIU, Peter played and helped develop the Esports program from the ground up. He was team captain on both the League of Legends team and Rocket League team. Competing in the ECAC, Peter was able to achieve multiple MVP's as well as ECAC player of the week. While not playing, Peter served as a representative to the board of trustees on behalf of the Esports program. He also coached multiple teams and players in Esports both on and off campus such as the Ole Miss League of Legends Red Team. 

Originally hailing from Belfast, Northern Ireland, Robb, who will also serve as an assistant coach for the track and field team, was a cross country and track and field graduate assistant for Washburn University in Topeka, Kan. for three seasons prior to joining the Pride. 

"Paddy brings competitive experience at a high level to Clarke," Long said. "He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant, and now has an opportunity to build and grow a men's and women's program in a competitive conference."

While at Washburn, Robb assisted in training the mid-distance and distance runners, including strength training and physiological testing while also playing a vital role in recruiting event-specific athletes from domestic and international regions. His day-to-day duties included developing and delivering race plans to enhance athlete success on competition days.

Robb competed collegiately at Adams State University in Alamosa, Colo. as he was a member of the Grizzly cross country and track and field teams where he earned Second Team All Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference and Second Team All Region in the 2018 season while finishing his career with personal bests of 24:10 in the 8K, 1:54 in the 800-meter, and 3:47 in the 1500-meter.

Hartley becomes the first person at Clarke to hold the title of Director of Golf and run both men's and women's programs.

"Brock has a great opportunity to shape the foundation for Clarke golf," Long said. "Being the first full-time Director of Golf at Clarke, he will be able to grow both the men's and women's rosters to depth at competitive levels."

Hartley joins Clarke after spending the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons as the graduate assistant for the William Penn University golf program that saw the Statesmen women finish in the top two at the Heart of America Championships at The Preserve each of those two seasons, including winning the conference in 2023 and qualifying to play in the NAIA Championship at TPC Deere Run.

In his role with WPU golf, Hartley would assist in tournament and practice planning, play a vital role in the Statesmen's recruiting efforts, assist in budgeting and scholarshipping, and provide on-course coaching during tournaments for both the men's and women's programs at William Penn.

Also playing his college golf at William Penn, Hartley would be a three-year member of the Statesmen before transitioning to his role as a GA, also picking up the role of general manager of the Oskaloosa Public Golf Course during the 2023 golf season.