GRANVILLE, Ohio - Denison Athletics welcomes four new members to the Big Red coaching staff this fall. Welcome Mitch Huppert, Willem Joseph, Kylie Liu, and Chris Whelton to the Hill!
Men's & Women's Fencing Assistant Coach- Willem Joseph
Willem Joseph joins the Denison men's and women's fencing staff after spending the last two years with the East Coast Fencing Club in Roslyn, N.Y. as their assistant coach. Over the course of his coaching career, he's worked with five programs, coaching all levels of fencing with an emphasis on Foil. "I'm thrilled to welcome Willem to the Denison fencing family. In addition to many years of coaching experience that give him a wealth of knowledge, Willem holds rankings in all three weapons, something that is quite rare nowadays," stated head coach Peter Grandbois. " I'm excited to work side by side with him to usher in the next chapter of Denison fencing as we start the inaugural season of our new men's team."
Joseph began fencing at age 10 and transitioned to competitive fencing in college. While obtaining his Bachelor of Arts in Journalism at Stony Brook University, he competed in numerous collegiate and NCAA events, earning top-16 finishes at the Temple Open in 2019 and The Big One in 2021, as well as a bronze medal at the Collegiate Fencing Championships in 2019. He continued to compete on the regional and national circuit, collecting an array of medals, including a silver in Division II foil at Summer Nationals in 2022 and finishing the 2021 season ranked #1 nationally in Division II foil overall points. Willem began coaching in 2023 at Brooklyn Bridge Fencing Club and later coached at Queens Fencing Club and the East Coast Fencing Club, and has since guided fencers to podium finishes across all levels of competition.
Softball Assistant Coach- Kylie Liu
Kylie Liu joins the Denison softball staff after spending this past summer working as an On-Field Operations Staff Member for the Utah Talons of the Athletes Unlimited Softball League. There, she assisted with gameday operations, bullpen catching, and equipment and locker-room organization.
Liu graduated from Pomona College in Claremont, California, this past May with a Bachelor's Degree in Economics. At Pomona, she was a captain of the Pomona-Pitzer softball team, and over her four years as a Sagehen, she was SCIAC Newcomer of the Year in 2023 and a four-time NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete. In 2026, she was named to the NFCA Player of the Year Watchlist, earned NFCA DIII first-team All-Region honors in her 2025 and 2026 seasons, and finished her career at Pomona as a four-time first-team All-SCIAC honoree.
"I am thrilled to bring Kylie Liu on staff as we start a new era of Denison Softball," exclaimed head softball coach Kirstin Mapes. " Her experience as a high-academic student-athlete and her tenacious efforts to prepare for a future in coaching stood out in the hiring process. She shares a deep passion for building a relationship-driven culture and advancing excellence across all arenas, which aligns closely with my vision for the program and Denison's values. I believe Kylie will be a bright addition to our community, and I look forward to working alongside her as we grow the Denison Softball program together."
Men's and Women's Golf Assistant Coach- Chris Whelton
Chris Whelton joins the Denison golf staff after spending last spring at the Carolina Day School as the Head Varsity Coach. Prior to landing at Carolina Day, Whelton worked the Matt Davidson Golf Camp hosted by Furman University and was a Private Golf Instructor.
In undergrad, Whelton made the transition from Division I baseball at Belmont University to a two-year varsity letter winner in golf with fellow NCAC institution Ohio Wesleyan. As a Battling Bishop, Whelton earned his Bachelor of Arts in Business Management, was named team captain, and was on the Ohio Wesleyan Athletic Council as a board member. As team captain, he led team practices and helped build team culture, while also offering guidance on technique and etiquette. On the green, his tournament low while at Ohio Wesleyan was 70.
Head coach Lauren Grogan stated, "We are very excited to add Chris to our staff. He is no stranger to the NCAC and brings a great passion for developing the holistic student while at Denison. Chris will no doubt be a great addition to the competitive atmosphere of Denison Golf, and we are excited to get to work! "
Assistant Director of Athletics Communications - Mitch Huppert
Mitch Huppert joins the Denison Athletics Communications department after spending the previous 10 years working in the same profession at Marian University. Huppert began his work in athletics communications in 2016 as the Assistant Sports Information Director and was promoted in March of 2020 to the head SID. Huppert later added the title of Assistant Athletic Director for Communications at Marian, serving in that role for four years.
Huppert graduated from the University of Indianapolis in 2016 with a B.S. in Sport Management. While an undergraduate, he interned with both the Indianapolis Colts and the Indiana High School Athletic Association.
Ashleigh Jones, Denison's director of athletics communications, shared, "Having someone like Mitch, who has a decade of experience in the athletics communications industry, is something you just can't pass up." " At an institution like Denison, adding a seasoned individual to our team helps our department stay on top of the ever-changing landscape of competitive excellence."
Huppert was a three-time winner of the Crossroads League Sports Information Director of the Year and covered seven NAIA Team National Championships, along with several individual championships in track and field.
"I am excited to join the Big Red and continue to grow in the athletics communications field," said Huppert. " Denison is a great school, and I am happy to be a member of a thriving and successful athletics department."
