Beloit men's basketball coach Cecil Youngblood will step down from his athletic duties to take on new responsibilities. College president John Burris made the announcement a week after the conclusion of the Buccaneers men's basketball season.

Youngblood succeeded Bill Knapton as men's basketball coach in 1997. He's gone 37-78 over the past five seasons.

"He is the ideal individual to assist the College in its commitment to greater diversity on campus and to the enhancement of the learning environment, both in and out of the classroom," said Burris. "He has accepted our invitation to lead and shape the office of director of the multicultural program and assistant dean of students which will require a true leader working in collaboration with a variety of offices in support of our efforts to build a model active intercultural community of scholars."

"We have been discussing this new position with Cecil over the past couple of months," notes vice president and dean of students Bill Flanagan. "We have delayed our public announcement of the transition until the conclusion of the men's basketball season to eliminate any distractions for our student athletes."

Key elements of the new full-time position will be the education of the campus community and operation of the College's Multicultural Center. Assistance in the recruitment of students from under-represented racial and ethnic groups will be a focus for the new director. He will also collaborate in creating professional development opportunities for faculty and staff in support of intercultural living and learning.

The appointment is effective immediately. Youngbood will complete his coaching duties with the men's golf program this spring.