Vice President for Athletics Michelle Caddigan begins her fifth full academic year at Catawba College in fall 2026 after leading one of the most dramatic and sustained rises in NCAA Division II athletics. Under her leadership, Catawba Athletics has transformed into a nationally recognized program, achieving unprecedented competitive success while making significant investments in facilities, student-athlete support and strategic growth.
The 2025-26 academic year marked the most successful year in Catawba Athletics history. The Catawba Indians finished 10th nationally in the NCAA Division II LEARFIELD Directors’ Cup standings, the highest ranking ever achieved by the department. The accomplishment represents an extraordinary ascent as Catawba improved from 244th nationally in 2018 to 55th in 2023, 32nd in 2024, 23rd in 2025 and 10th in 2026. Catawba also placed second in the South Atlantic Conference Echols Athletic Excellence Award standings, its highest finish since 2007.
Catawba’s national prominence was on full display during spring 2026 as three programs — baseball, men’s tennis and women’s tennis — advanced to the NCAA Division II national semifinals. The women's tennis team finished as national runner-up, while track and field athlete Miles Stephens captured the department’s first-ever NCAA national championship by winning the 200-meter dash at the NCAA Indoor Championships.
The record-setting campaign included two NCAA Division II Elite Scholar-Athlete Award winners, four SAC regular-season championships, three SAC Tournament championships, 32 individual SAC titles, 82 All-America performances, seven SAC Players of the Year, six SAC Coaches of the Year, three SAC Elite 23 recipients and nine Academic All-America selections.
While making significant leaps in competition, Catawba also continued to excel academically. During the 2025-26 academic year, Catawba student-athletes achieved an impressive cumulative department GPA of 3.40, reflecting the department’s commitment to excellence in the classroom and in competition. The women's swimming program earned the highest team GPA in NCAA Division II, serving as a model of academic achievement across the country.
Caddigan’s vision for excellence extends beyond competitive success. Goodman Arena received a complete floor renovation and rebranding, while Shuford Stadium benefited from a new lighting system and enhanced audio infrastructure. Frock Field underwent a significant transformation with the installation of a new lighting system as its adjacent practice field received new irrigation, sod, fencing, and updated branding, creating an enhanced experience for student-athletes and fans alike. Construction began on Phase II of Newman Park, featuring renovated grandstands, a new press box, and permanent restroom facilities, in May 2026 with completion expected prior to the 2027 home opener. Continuing the institution’s commitment to athletic growth, Catawba is also developing a new track and field facility that will further elevate opportunities for student-athletes and strengthen the college’s ability to compete at the highest level of Division II athletics.
Caddigan's leadership has been defined by strategic growth, academic and competitive excellence with a commitment to enhancing the student-athlete experience. Under her direction, Catawba has expanded its sport offerings with the addition of Men's Volleyball while building one of the premier athletic departments in NCAA Division II. Catawba's sustained success has been exhibited by conference championships, regional titles, national semifinal appearances and record-breaking performances.
Caddigan was hired as Director of Athletics at Catawba College in December 2021, bringing more than 25 years of administrative and coaching experience. Prior to her arrival in Salisbury, she served as Deputy Director of Athletics and Senior Woman Administrator at Wingate University. She held the SWA role beginning in 2000, served as Assistant Athletic Director from 2006-2012, Associate Athletic Director from 2012-2019 and was promoted to Deputy Director of Athletics in 2019. She also served as Wingate’s head softball coach from 1997-2012.
A respected leader on the national stage, Caddigan currently serves on the NCAA Division II Men’s Basketball National Committee and the NCAA Award of Excellence Committee. She previously served on multiple NCAA Regional Advisory Committees and was a member of the NCAA Division II Women’s Volleyball National Committee from 2013-2017, chairing the committee from 2015-2017. A 2017 graduate of the Women Leaders in College Sports Executive Institute, Caddigan received the prestigious South Atlantic Conference David Riggins Service Award in 2020 in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the conference. In 2025, she was inducted into the Wingate University Sports Hall of Fame, recognizing her exceptional achievements and lasting impact as both a coach and administrator.
Before transitioning to full-time administration, Caddigan built one of the most successful coaching careers in South Atlantic Conference history. During 16 seasons as Wingate’s head softball coach, she compiled a 529-287-3 record and reached the 50-, 100-, 150-, 200-, 250-, 300- and 350-win milestones faster than any softball coach in conference history. Her teams finished third or better in the SAC standings in 13 of 16 seasons, winning two regular-season championships and three conference tournament titles. She was named SAC Coach of the Year four times.
Caddigan earned a Bachelor of Science degree in K-12 Health and Physical Education and a Master of Science in Kinesiology with a concentration in Athletic Administration from James Madison University. Prior to her collegiate career, she taught Health and Physical Education and coached softball, basketball and volleyball at C.D. Hylton High School in Woodbridge, Va. In 2003, she was inducted into the Potomac High School Hall of Fame in recognition of her outstanding achievements as a student-athlete.
