HAMMOND, Ind.  – The Purdue University Calumet athletic department announced its new coaching hires during a press conference at the Fitness and Recreation Center last week. The hiring of the new coaches is yet another big step for the university in its athletic expansion plan, which will see six more sports added to the slate over the next few years.

Donn Gobbie (Men’s Tennis), Tim Maluga (Women’s Tennis), Matt Meneghetti (Golf) and Natalie Shadowen (Volleyball) have all begun preparing for the upcoming season, hitting the recruiting trails and setting up the 2010-11 schedule.

Donn Gobbie – Men’s Tennis
Donn Gobbie brings his 21 years of coaching experience to Purdue Calumet, as he is been put in charge of developing the Peregrine’s men’s tennis program. Gobbie’s last coaching stop was at St. Joseph’s College in Rensselaer, Ind., where was credited with rebuilding the men’s team, highlighted by a school-record 19 victories in 2004.

Tim Maluga – Women’s Tennis
Tim Maluga brings a wealth of experience to the women’s tennis program, after a highly decorated seven-year stint at Valparaiso University. Maluga was a three-time Mid-Continent Conference Coach of the Year at Valpo, while guiding the Crusaders to three-straight conference titles and a pair of NCAA Division I Tournament berths.

Matt Meneghetti – Golf
Matt Meneghetti comes to Purdue Calumet with 19 years of experience as a golf professional, including 17 years as a Class A member of the Professional Golfers Association. Meneghetti comes to Purdue Calumet from Centennial Park Golf Course in Munster, Ind., where he serves as the PGA Professional.

Natalie Shadowen – Volleyball
Natalie Shadowen returns to her alma mater to help launch the reemergence of the Purdue Calumet volleyball program. The former three-year captain at Purdue Calumet brings with her 13 years of experience, having coached at both the high school and club levels. Shadowen is a veteran of the Northwest Indiana volleyball scene, holding coaching positions at a number of high schools in the area.