OGLESBY – Illinois Valley Community College announced the hiring of women’s soccer coach Rey Arteaga of La Salle and men’s golf coach Sean Kennedy of Henry.

Arteaga was named interim IVCC coach last season after head coach Ed Young Jr. stepped down due to a change in his work location.

As interim, Arteaga did the scheduling, recruiting and academic monitoring of players. He has coached a 19-and-under boys’ club team, girls’ high school and middle school teams, and a variety of volunteer youth teams.

“His vast coaching experience provides him with a broad overview of student athletes and the need to adapt to different situations,” said IVCC Athletic Director Cory Tomasson. “He takes every opportunity to remind his players that they are students first. He also instills three coaching concepts: structure, discipline, and respect.”

Arteaga is an IVCC graduate and a 2011 graduate of Mendota High School.

Golf coach Kennedy also brings to IVCC vast experience, a connection to high school and college coaches and access to a large number of potential student athletes, Tomasson said.

Since 2011, Kennedy has coordinated the “Prep Tour,” a regional golf tour comprised of 37 tournaments for junior-level players. The tour has afforded Kennedy the opportunity to scout and build relationships with golfers ranging in age from junior high to high school.

In addition, Tomasson noted that through the tour, Kennedy has forged relationships with several NJCAA, NAIA and NCAA coaches.

“Sean has also established working relationships with local golf course personnel and hosts tournaments at Oak Ridge Golf Course, our home course,” Tomasson added.