CHICAGO (Sept. 30, 2024) – The UIC Department of Intercollegiate Athletics announced three staff updates on Monday, welcoming a trio of talented individuals to its facilities, sports performance and human resources units.
 
John Flood has been appointed Associate Athletics Director for Facilities & Operations, where he will assist with scheduling, maintenance and oversight of the UIC Athletics Complex and contribute to all game operations and logistics. A long-time member of the UIC Athletics family, Flood made the transition to an administrative role following 16 years (2009-24) on the Flames' baseball coaching staff, most recently serving as the program's associate head coach and recruiting coordinator while also working with the UIC pitchers. During his tenure, he coached four Horizon League Pitchers of the Year and four conference Relief Pitchers of the Year, while developing pitching staffs routinely ranked among the best in the nation.
 
A native of Mt. Vernon, Ill., Flood was a pitcher at UIC from 2003-06, helping the Flames to the 2003 Horizon League Tournament title and the program's first NCAA Tournament berth. Injuries cut short his pitching career and led to his move to the coaching ranks. Flood graduated from UIC in 2006 with a bachelor's degree in finance.
 
April DiGiannantonio re-joins the Flames' staff as assistant sports performance coach after previously serving at the University from 2022-23. She will be working closely with the UIC track & field, cross country, women's soccer and golf programs.
 
Hailing from Chicago Heights, Ill., DiGiannantonio grew up in south Florida and most recently spent time on the staff at UCF. She also has collegiate sports performance experience at Power Four schools Clemson and Texas A&M, as well as the University of Denver. During her tenure with these programs, she was able to work with several sports teams, including the TAMU volleyball, softball, equestrian and women's soccer teams. She also designed and implemented all workouts for the national championship-winning Aggie Dance Team.

While in Denver, DiGiannantonio spent 10 years owning and operating several gyms in Colorado, while also obtaining a bachelor's degree in exercise science. She further holds a master's degree from Colorado State University and a bachelor's degree in finance and entrepreneurship from Florida State University.
 
Vanessa Serrano has been named UIC Athletics Human Resources Representative, where she will oversee student hiring and onboarding, assist with initiating and managing selected hiring procedures, and serve as the department's point of contact for daily human resources questions and assistance. 
 
Serrano assumes her new post after spending the past two years on the UIC athletics administrative staff, working primarily in a public-facing role as the main desk attendant at the Flames Athletic Center.
 
For more information on UIC athletics, fans are encouraged to visit UICFlames.com, or follow the Flames on social media through X (@UICFlames) and Instagram (@uicflames).