Aug. 30, 2011

CHICAGO - Former UIC volleyball letterwinners Katie Kozak and Casie Sullivan have joined the UIC Athletic Department as full-time staff members. Kozak will serve as the Assistant Director of Development & Special Events, while Sullivan will be the department's Assistant Director of Marketing and Game Operations.

"We're thrilled to welcome back both Katie and Casie to our Flames family," said UIC Athletic Director Jim Schmidt. "They were the epitome of standout student-athletes during their time in a UIC volleyball uniform, and we know that they will bring that same energy and passion to their new positions within our athletic department. I'm excited to have them on board."

Kozak was a member of the Flames' volleyball program from 2002-06. The former setter is UIC's all-time career leader in set assists (4,640), and also owns two-of the top-five single-season assist marks. She was the Flames' team captain all four years. A native of Chicago and graduate of Mother McAuley High School, Kozak earned her bachelor's degree (English) from UIC in May 2007.

Since June 2009, Kozak served as a Sales Associate and Party Planner for "Bar1Events" in Chicago. She also completed athletic internships with the Chicago White Sox (November 2007-November 2008) and Windy City Thunderbolts (May 2007-May 2008). From January-May, 2007, after wrapping up her playing eligibility, Kozak served as a marketing and advertising intern for UIC's Athletic Department.

Sullivan was an outside hitter for the Flames from 2008-10, and served as the team's setter as a freshman (2006). She finished her career with nearly 1,000 kills (954) and more than 500 assists (503). Sullivan was an All-Horizon League honoree in 2009, a season in which she set career-highs in kills (403) and digs (349). She starred at Wethersfield High School in Kewanee, Ill., as a prep.

Sullivan, who graduated with her bachelor's degree in Business Administration in May 2010, worked in UIC's Athletic Department last winter/spring, serving as a corporate sales assistant. She received her master's degree in instructional leadership last May.

Sullivan will report to Ryan Ptak, who has worked in UIC's marketing and ticket units over the past five years, most recently as the Assistant Director of Marketing. Kozak replaces Lisa Meindl, who accepted a position in development with the American Cancer Society in Seattle.