The University of Detroit Mercy athletic department has been joined by seven new staff members for the 2009-10 school year. The department's administration, sports information, equipment, sports medicine and strength and conditioning offices each tallied new members.

“I am excited to have the new staff on board,” said Athletics Director Keri Gaither. “This is an energetic and enthusiastic group and we're looking forward to all the great work they are going to do to help move University of Detroit Mercy athletics forward.”

Michelle Cordero joins the Titans as an administrative intern. In May, Cordero received her bachelor's degree in communication from Michigan State University. While at Michigan State she worked in the Spartans' athletics department as an event management intern. Cordero has also worked as a basketball operations intern for the Detroit Pistons and was a volunteer for the 2009 NCAA men's basketball Final Four at Ford Field.

The sports information office brings Scott Kretzmann on board as an assistant. Kretzmann graduated from Augustana College in Rock Island, IL in 2008 with his bachelor's degree in English and speech communication. At Augustana he earned varsity letters in both football and baseball and served as Editor-in-Chief of the college's weekly student newspaper. Before coming to Detroit, Kretzmann served as a sports information assistant during the 2008-09 school year at Central College in Pella, IA. He will be the media contact for the women's soccer, men's and women's fencing and softball teams.

Casey Hornung joins Detroit as an equipment and facilities intern. Hornung received his degree in recreation and sport management from Coastal Carolina University in May. He worked for the Coastal Carolina football team for four years, spending two years as a student equipment manager and two years as a video assistant.

Joining the sports medicine staff are interns Alexandria Perry and Leah Dior. Perry, 27, a 2006 graduate of Eastern Michigan University, received her master's in athletic training from Kent State in May. A native of Belleville, MI, she attended Wayne Memorial High School and will be working with the Titans' men's soccer and women's lacrosse teams. Dior, 22, graduated in May from Ithaca College in Ithaca, NY with her degree in athletic training. Originally from Wilmington, DE, Dior attended the Charter School of Wilmington and will be working with the Titans' softball team.

And Adam Gentry and Stephanie Lieto have joined the Titans as strength and conditioning interns. Gentry, 24, earned his bachelor's degree in kinesiology and exercise science from Michigan State and is completing his master's at Oakland University. Lieto, 22, graduated in May from Defiance College in Defiance, OH with a degree in sport management. A native of Monroe, MI and a graduate of Jefferson High School, Lieto played softball at Defiance for four years, as well as basketball for two years and was on the soccer team as a senior.