Passini making transition from softball coach to administrative role with Quincy University

QUINCY — Carla Passini’s passion to see Quincy University succeed academically and athletically is nearly unrivaled.

QU athletic director Josh Rabe is one whose heart and soul for his alma mater runs just as deep.

So it makes sense they will work hand-in-hand to push the QU athletic department forward.

Passini resigned in May as the Hawks softball coach and officially started her new role an associate athletic director last week. She will be the senior woman administrator, a role she transitioned into a year ago that allowed her to see the impact she could have administratively.

Continuing to work with Rabe — they previously shared North Campus facilities as the baseball and softball coaches — also is a benefit Passini couldn’t pass up.

“We were in the parking lot after getting all the details worked out and I said, ‘Josh, I don’t know for sure if you know what you got yourself into,’” Passini said with a chuckle. “I told him, ‘I hope you don’t get sick of me. You’re going to have to talk to me every day.’ He laughed.”

That’s where a relationship that has lasted more than a decade benefits QU.

“We got our master’s degrees at the same time,” said Passini, who is a 2012 QU graduate. “I remember sitting in those classes, and we both had the hope of getting into administration. It’s kind of cool that we get to do that together. Our communication is really good and we work well together.

“There’s a big part of it with us both being alums. We’ve been through the trenches and some tough times at QU. We both just love Quincy and know how good it could be for our students and our student-athletes.”

Passini spent seven seasons as the head softball coach, guiding the Hawks to an 18-27 record this spring, although they won six of their final seven games and the last three. Overall, Passini had a 124-168 record.

With life changes coming at the same time — she and her fiance, Kelly Kielsmeier, are getting married this month — the move from coaching to administration is the right step for Passini.

“Professionally and personally, it’s just a really good opportunity,” she said. “I’m feeling passionate about a lot of the things that lie ahead on the administrative side. Josh is a fantastic leader, and I’ve enjoyed working with him.

“It’s a really great athletic department and we have some really great people in place. It will be good to help support them and continue to move our university and our whole athletic department forward.”

Moreso, Passini gets to continue to put her passion into a place she calls home.

“I live and die by the idea you win with people,” Passini said. “I would go toe-to-toe with any other university in our region because it’s the people at QU who make it such a great place. That’s why I’ve stayed so long. Every student matters, Every person who works at QU matters.

“That’s what we do better than any other university we compete against. I truly believe that people win, and QU has extraordinary people.”