Bio

Rich Midcap, responsible for Athletic Department administrative oversight since 1997, said the key to building any winning organization is "recruiting the right people."

Chesapeake College did just that, according to Midcap, with the hiring of Frank Szymanski as athletic director/baseball coach and Becky Fauver as athletics assistant in 1999. The addition of Bill Faust as athletics specialist responsible for facilities in 2002 further strengthened the department.

Szymanski's ability to recruit top coaches has also been a key to the success of the athletic department, which has won Region XX titles in four sports (baseball, men's basketball, women’s basketball and women's softball) since he became athletic director. Szymanski, John Mappas (men's basketball) and Durrie Hayes (women's softball) have all been Region XX Coach of the Year in their respective sports. Two 2010 coaching hires – longtime Prince George's CC assistant Joel Dearring in men's basketball and former Cambridge-SD High head coach Mark Dennis in men's soccer – continue the trend of hiring local coaches with impressive experience in their sports.

Szymanski, Faust and the college's coaching staff "provide high-quality leadership for our student athletes," said Midcap, while Fauver "gives incredible support to Frank, Bill, and our coaches." The Student Success retention staff, led by Dean of Retention Services Joan Seitzer and Director of First-Year Programs Dana Bowser, has also helped instill an "academics-first" culture among the college's student athletes.

The coaching staff has, in turn, works hard to attract the right student athletes.

"We want young people who realize there's a reason 'student' comes first in the term 'student/athlete,' " said Midcap. "We obviously want good athletes, but they need to be dedicated students, too. Our academic achievements – including seven Academic All-Americans since 2004 – are evidence of our academic commitment."

Midcap spent 12 years in journalism, including three years as sports editor of The Star Democrat, before coming to Chesapeake College as public information officer in 1994. He became admissions director in 1995, associate dean for student services in 1998, dean of students a year later, and vice president in May 2003. Midcap, who took on sports information duties when he arrived at the college, continues to serve as Chesapeake's sports information director.

Midcap has a bachelor's degree from Salisbury University, a master's degree from Washington College, and a doctorate in innovation and leadership (Ed.D.) from Wilmington (DE) University.

Midcap and his wife, Donna, a Talbot County school teacher, live in Easton with their two daughters, Lyn and Cassie.