LIVONIA -- Madonna women’s soccer coach Mark Zathey has resigned his position, effective immediately, it was announced today.  Zathey cited an inability to give the Madonna program the attention he feels it deserves while balancing numerous other ventures as the reason for his decision.

"The time has come for me to take a step back and evaluate my coaching career," Zathey said. "Based on my current set of circumstances, I cannot devote the time I need to the Madonna program and it is unfair on the players and Madonna for me to continue."

Zathey, the second head coach in the history of Madonna women’s soccer, took the position prior to the 2001 season and promptly guided his team to a 13-5-1 mark and WHAC regular season and tournament title. In five years as head coach, Zathey guided his team to five first place finishes and a trip to the 2005 NAIA National Championship tournament. Zathey was twice named conference coach of
the year and finishes with a 71-21-12 record.

"I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of a great soccer program and a great institution of higher education,” continued Zathey.  “The last twelve years have provided me with some magical memories that I will keep with me through the rest of my days."

Madonna athletics director Bryan Rizzo named assistant coach Paul Thomas as Zathey’s successor beginning immediately.

“Seeing Z leave is very bittersweet for me,” stated Rizzo. “While I am happy that he is leaving to do what is best for him personally, I
know what a great job he has done at Madonna. He has helped build a great program with class and hard work. I am very sorry to see
him leave for Madonna's sake but i am happy that he is pursuing opportunities that he is excited about. He has been a true Madonna
Man for the last 12 years.”

Zathey has been a fixture in the Madonna soccer family since the inception of men’s soccer at the school in 1994. As a player on the
inaugural team, Zathey served as team captain as a goal keeper for then coach Pete Alexander. Zathey continued his stay at Madonna as
an assistant on both the men’s and women’s team’s before taking over the women’s program in 2001 from Rick Larson.

"I would like to thank Bryan Rizzo, Sr. Nancy Jamroz, and Sr. Rose Marie Kujawa for their leadership and support of our athletic program,”
stated Zathey. "I owe a huge thank you to Pete Alexander and Rick Larson for all of their effort and hard work starting the men's program
(94) and women's program (98). I would also like to thank Paul Thomas, Tony Deacon, and Andy Vanover for all of their support over the
last couple of years. Most importantly, I would like to thank all of the past and present parents & players for their belief and commitment
to the game, The Madonna Way."

Thomas will begin duties as head coach immediately, a major reason why Zathey feels a little better about his late decision to resign.

"It is not in my nature to leave our players hanging with an uncertain future,” said Zathey. “My decision to step back was made a lot easier,
due to such a great wing man ready to take the program to the next level. I feel very secure about Madonna soccer's future success
due to the coaching excellence of Paul. I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to share the game with Paul this past year and
am comfortable with the fact he has established a great bond with our players in his time in the program. He is a great person off the
field, and a tremendous coach on the field and I have the complete belief that Paul will be a great care-taker of this program. I am happy
for the players and will continue to do anything I can for their continued success."

Zathey leaves Madonna as the school’s winningest women’s soccer coach and boasts a .740 career winning percentage.