NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – Niagara University Associate Vice President for Athletics Simon Gray has announced the hiring of Chris O'Connor as the head coach of the Purple Eagles women's golf team.

"Coach O'Connor brings a wealth of high-level instruction experience to our women's golf program," Gray said, "We value his attention to the student-athlete experience and we look forward to the development of the program under his leadership." 

O'Connor has more than 15 years of experience in the golf industry being a former professional and instructor at Brierwood Country Club and Tan Tara golf club.

He was an after-school golf academy youth golf instructor for five years, where he provided group golf instruction for school age youth in multiple school districts, supported character development through short term activities and worked on development and expansion of the academy through public exposure and promotional networking.

"I'm very excited and grateful for this opportunity and can't wait to get started," Coach O'Connor said, "We have an extremely talented team and can't wait to work with them and take the program to the next level." 

The women's golf team will compete in the Roseann Schwartz Invitational hosted by Youngstown State Sept. 20-21.