BLOOMFIELD HILLS — Back when Pontiac Notre Dame Preparatory and Bloomfield Hills Marian would compete against each other for the Catholic High School League volleyball championship, Molly Campbell probably didn’t envision herself on the opposite side of the net.
But that’s where the CHSL’s 2008 Walt Bazylewicz Female Athlete of the Year finds herself, now that she’s accepted the athletic director’s post at Marian.
“Growing up and being a Notre Dame Prep grad, we always played Marian in big games, so I knew they were kind of the upper echelon for females in athletics,” Campbell said. “I knew this was a school that empowered women. That’s consistent with my morals and my values, and it falls right in line with developing and empowering strong women.”
Campbell took her new post last month, succeeding Mike Watson, after overseeing girls’ athletics and coaching at Orchard Lake St. Mary’s Preparatory. She got to work right off the bat.
“The biggest thing I started on was building relationships — with the coaches, the administrators, the faculty, the students — all the big Marian players that I need to have a relationship with,” she said. “I have a good handle on the faculty, the families I’m starting to know. The families are really supportive here, which has been really nice.”
One of the factors that drew Campbell to a school against which she had previously competed was its rich athletic history.
“This is a community that is just so involved,” she said. “It’s all about that championship culture. They want to have the best programs the best teams — not that every school already wants that. Just the support for the coaches is different than what I’ve experienced. There’s support from the top down. That’s a factor.”
Campbell, known as Molly Coldren before she married her husband, Dan (“Not that Dan Campbell,” she said, referring to the Detroit Lions coach), was one of the most decorated female athletes in the history of the Catholic League.
Besides winning the Bazylewicz Award in her senior year, she was selected as the state’s Miss Softball and was runner-up in Miss Volleyball balloting. She was Michigan’s Gatorade Volleyball Player of the Year and led Notre Dame Prep to the state volleyball championship in 2007. She went on to play softball at Central Michigan University, setting records for home runs and RBIs in a career. Campbell was inducted into the Catholic League Hall of Fame in 2012.
“Molly has always embodied the spirit of excellence and leadership,” said her high school coach, Betty Wroubel. “Her transition to athletic director is a natural progression for someone whose career has been defined by hard work, moral strength, and a clear vision for success. Now, as Marian’s new director of athletics, she will be able to channel that same passion and integrity to inspire and lead and build on their foundation. Obviously I am very proud of her, and hope to continue to serve in a mentorship role.”
For the past four years, she had been at St. Mary’s Prep as the school transitioned to co-ed enrollment, charged with developing the girls’ athletic opportunities. She also coached the Eaglets volleyball and softball teams, guiding the volleyball team to back-to-back league championships and leading the softball squad to league and district championships.
When Campbell’s OLSM volleyball team defeated Notre Dame Prep in district play last fall, that broke the Fighting Irish’s string of 16 consecutive district championships — a streak that was started while Campbell was in high school.
Despite her success, she said she’s not likely to coach at Marian.
“When I started at St. Mary’s, I was in athletics as a coach and not an AD,” she said. “My true passion is putting women in the spotlight. This was the next step in my professional growth, and it was a good move for my family. As of right now, no (to coaching); I’m focused on giving myself the best professional experience. If there’s an opportunity to be a team player, perhaps, but I would never insert myself as the coach, because we have a prestigious coaching staff here already.”
Campbell will be overseeing one of the Catholic League’s largest athletic programs at Marian, which enrolls just fewer than 400 girls in grades 9-12.
“We try to get our kids involved, let them pick an avenue and feel that pride in representing their school,” she said. “It’s important for students to get involved in this day and age, and having them do something outside of academics is good for their mental health. If anything, they can come out with their friends and have fun and build memories that last for lifetime.”
And she’s already aiming to grow the athletic footprint in the school.
“We’re just looking at ways to grow involvement,” Campbell said. “We’re looking into intramurals. A lot of our sports are ‘cut’ sports, but we’re looking for ways for the school community to grow. We’re also looking at ways to get the faculty to come out to the games, such as faculty appreciation nights.”
Campbell said her role is “going very well” after her first month.
“People are very excited this role is now in the hands of a female. I’m passionate about their well-being, and there’s a little bit more comfort in athletics female-to-female,” she said. “It’s unique, it’s cool. I have had a ton of support.”
In a news release announcing Campbell's new role, Marian principal Stacey Cushman heaped praise upon the school's new athletic director.
"Her unique and extensive leadership experience in athletics, and her dedication to the growth and development of female student-athletes, make her the perfect fit for our community,” Cushman said. “We are confident that she will continue our school’s rich tradition of athletic excellence and community spirit.”
“I’m very happy that I’m here,” Campbell said. “It’s really exciting moving forward, and I’m happy they trust me with this job.”
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