Joplin, Mo. – Missouri Southern Athletic Director Rob Mallory has announced three staff updates to the MSSU Athletics Administration team. 
 
New to the athletics department is Assistant AD for Compliance & Academic Services Carissa Cessna and Director of Event and Ticket Operations Jaxson Webb. Earning a promotion to Assistant AD for External Operations is Markie McCoy.
 
Carissa Cessna previously served as the Senior Woman Administrator and Director of Compliance & Eligibility at NCAA Division III institution, Thiel College, taking on that role in January of 2020. She also served as the Interim Assistant Athletic Director of Budgeting at the institution from June-September 2022. In addition to her role in administration, Cessna served as Thiel's men's and women's cross country coach, as well as the distance coach for the College's track & field programs beginning in the Fall of 2018. Although she is coming from the eastern part of the United States, Cessna is no stranger to Missouri. She spent three years as the assistant cross country and track & field coach at National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) member school Hannibal-LaGrange University, her alma mater. During her time at Hannibal-LaGrange, Cessna coached 15 school-record breakers, including six individual American Midwest Conference (AMC) champions. Cessna earned a bachelor's degree in physical education/health from Hannibal-LaGrange University in 2011 before completing a master's degree in sports management from Liberty University in 2016

"We are thrilled to add Carissa to our team in this critical role," said Director of Athletics Rob Mallory. "Her background in compliance and coaching, as well as her willingness to learn and grow, make her a great fit for the position. Her student-athlete focus and desire to see young people succeed make her an outstanding fit for Missouri Southern Athletics."

Jaxson Webb comes from MIAA-member Fort Hays State University where he spent four years working in athletics. He spent one year as a graduate assistant in the athletic department working primarily with sports information. In that role, he helped compile game notes, write recaps, and press releases. Additionally, he assisted in ticket sales for both single game and season tickets for football and basketball. Also at FHSU, Webb spent three years working for the Tiger Media Network as a Play-By-Play Commentator and Color Analyst for FHSU football, volleyball, baseball, and men's and women's basketball. In the summers of 2021-23, Webb worked for the Kansas City Monarchs minor league baseball team, serving as a member of the staff for two American Association league championship years ('21 and '23). Webb graduated from FHSU with a bachelors degree in Sports Management from Fort Hays State and spent three seasons with the Tigers baseball program.

"I am very excited to add Jaxson Webb to the Missouri Southern Athletics team," stated Associate AD Cori Reid. "As a former MIAA student-athlete, he brings a unique perspective to our gameday operations. He understands the high level experience that we provide our Lions fans and is an excellent addition to our staff."
 
Markie McCoy will continue most of her previous responsibilities but will add the athletic partnerships role in her new title of Assistant AD for External Operations. A graduate of Missouri Southern, McCoy has been associated with Missouri Southern athletics for over a decade with time spent as a student athletic trainer, on the football staff and serving in her most recent role. McCoy holds a Master's Degree in Sports Management from Missouri Baptist.

"Markie has been a valuable member of our team for 5+ years, and I am excited for her to take on these new and elevated responsibilities," Athletic Director Rob Mallory commented. "Her local ties and community connections, along with a tremendous work ethic, will help elevate our corporate sponsorship program and further enhance our relationship with the Joplin business community."