Celebrating Women's History Month: Heather Haigler
3/21/2023 10:04:00 AM | General
We are celebrating Women's History Month by featuring members of the athletics staff who play an integral role in the success of our student-athletes
We are celebrating #WomensHistoryMonth by spotlighting members of the athletics staff who play an integral role in the success of our student-athletes.
Heather Haigler has been a staple in the Columbia Athletic Department for the past 15 years, starting as an administrative assistant with Success Through Well-Being office and currently serving as an executive assistant for Campbell Family Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and Physical Education Peter Pilling.
What is your favorite memorable moment you've had during your career at Columbia?
Haigler: During my first year, we were preparing for the student-athlete academic achievement luncheon that recognizes and honors the student-athletes' academic achievements. This was no small feat as we collaborated all day on a Saturday to ensure we would pull off an amazing and well deserving event for our student-athletes. I was astonished by the willingness of the team to spend countless hours on this event. That love and dedication for the student-athletes remains with me to this day. I continue to have that same attitude in performing my daily activities both for our student-athletes and the department.
What is your favorite thing working with senior staff, the coaches, and student-athletes?
Haigler: Our student-athletes come from various places around the world with many different socioeconomic backgrounds. I enjoy getting to see them grow from first-year students to seniors. It is even more so a pleasure to see them return back to campus because of the impact Columbia has had on their lives.
What is it about Columbia Athletics that has kept you here throughout your career?
Haigler: As a Harlem resident, working at Columbia University in the department of Athletics has provided me with unique experiences. From Olympians such as Katie Meili and Nzingha Prescod to incredible individuals like our beloved Bill Campbell, I've met some really wonderful individuals who made lasting impressions on me.
Yana Rivers is a member of the Success Through Well-Being (STWB) student-athlete support services team, serving as the tutoring coordinator and administrative assistant. In her role, Yana supports all student-athletes through the STWB tutoring program. Additionally, Yana is instrumental in supporting all STWB support services: academics, career development, mental performance, sports nutrition, leadership, and well-being. Yana Rivers has served as an administrative assistant for 15 years at Columbia University. Yana began her career in 2008 at the Earth Institute and joined the Columbia Athletics Department in 2013.
Denise Cudden began her career at Columbia as an assistant coach for the women's basketball program in 1996 and currently serves as an administrative assistant, working with the Athletic Department's senior staff.
What is your favorite memorable moment you've had during your career?
Cudden: There are too many memorable moments to recount as a coach up to my current role. But I will share my favorite basketball memories - beating Harvard on the road for the first time and taking the team on a tour to Italy (there is nothing better than touring The Vatican and Sistine Chapel with students who have taken Art Hum!). I am proud seeing all the young student-athletes I coached turn into remarkable women.
What is your favorite part about working with senior staff, the coaches, and student-athletes?
Cudden: My favorite part about working with the Senior Staff is that they allow me to work within different aspects of the department. There are so many moving parts. I don't think people realize just how many people work really hard behind the scenes to make things happen. Everyone is so invested in and supportive of the success of all in the department! Working with them also has me engaged and invested in everyone's success - all the coaches, programs and student-athletes.
I love working with the coaches. I get what they are doing, and try to assist when needed. It's also all the little everyday things- Heather's smile, Brett's laugh- coffee from Jackie, laughing with everyone who comes by the Dodge Fitness Center.
What is it about Columbia Athletics that has kept you here throughout your career?
Cudden: It's the people and the campus! This place has been my home away from home. I have honestly gone through so much growth here from a young assistant coach to raising a family with my husband and kids. I have been fortunate to play a number of different roles within the department. I believe so whole-heartedly in what we do here for our student-athletes – excellent athletics and academics in the best city in the world!
Danette Diaz has served as an administrative assistant for over 33 years. Diaz joined the Columbia athletics department on January 29, 1990, working with the rowing, soccer, fencing and wrestling teams. She currently provides support to all the sports with offices at the Dodge Fitness Center, but work closely with men's basketball, women's basketball, fencing, men's swimming & diving, women's swimming & diving, wrestling and all the other sports as needed
What is your favorite memorable moment you've had during your career?
Diaz: It's going to be difficult to pick just one since I work for multiple sports. I feel proud anytime one of our teams or student athletes has a successful season and was able to play a part in that success.
What is your favorite part about working with the student-athletes and coaches?
Diaz: I just love their energy and passion for the sport and they make the work days more enjoyable.
What is it about Columbia Athletics that has kept you here throughout your career?
Diaz: It is definitely the people. Since I have been here for many years, I feel like Columbia Athletics is my family. Every person that I have ever worked with has taught me something different and contributed to my growth in one way or another. I feel like that is very special because I get to keep little wisdom nuggets that remind me of different coaches and players. For me it is a joy to come to work and be able to assist in any capacity in the department.
Heather Haigler has been a staple in the Columbia Athletic Department for the past 15 years, starting as an administrative assistant with Success Through Well-Being office and currently serving as an executive assistant for Campbell Family Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and Physical Education Peter Pilling.
What is your favorite memorable moment you've had during your career at Columbia?
Haigler: During my first year, we were preparing for the student-athlete academic achievement luncheon that recognizes and honors the student-athletes' academic achievements. This was no small feat as we collaborated all day on a Saturday to ensure we would pull off an amazing and well deserving event for our student-athletes. I was astonished by the willingness of the team to spend countless hours on this event. That love and dedication for the student-athletes remains with me to this day. I continue to have that same attitude in performing my daily activities both for our student-athletes and the department.
What is your favorite thing working with senior staff, the coaches, and student-athletes?
Haigler: Our student-athletes come from various places around the world with many different socioeconomic backgrounds. I enjoy getting to see them grow from first-year students to seniors. It is even more so a pleasure to see them return back to campus because of the impact Columbia has had on their lives.
What is it about Columbia Athletics that has kept you here throughout your career?
Haigler: As a Harlem resident, working at Columbia University in the department of Athletics has provided me with unique experiences. From Olympians such as Katie Meili and Nzingha Prescod to incredible individuals like our beloved Bill Campbell, I've met some really wonderful individuals who made lasting impressions on me.
Yana Rivers is a member of the Success Through Well-Being (STWB) student-athlete support services team, serving as the tutoring coordinator and administrative assistant. In her role, Yana supports all student-athletes through the STWB tutoring program. Additionally, Yana is instrumental in supporting all STWB support services: academics, career development, mental performance, sports nutrition, leadership, and well-being. Yana Rivers has served as an administrative assistant for 15 years at Columbia University. Yana began her career in 2008 at the Earth Institute and joined the Columbia Athletics Department in 2013.
What is your favorite memorable moment you've had during your career?
Rivers: Celebrating one of the team's first NCAA championships, the Olympic medals won, and seeing some of the staff and student-athletes at the Olympics. It never stopped with our student-athletes. They have been a body of champions throughout the years
What is your favorite thing about working with the student-athletes?
Rivers: The students arrive from all across the world. Each student brings uniqueness. Their willingness to educate, introduce and share their culture, neighborhoods and genuinely show what makes them who they are is my favorite. I love hearing about so many cultures. There is a tremendous amount of energy the student-athlete brings with them each time they enter into the facility. You can not help but to absorb that energy and join in with the excitement of everyday life of the student athlete and all it encompasses.
What is it about Columbia Athletics that you enjoy coming to work every day?
Rivers: As a member of the Success Through Well Being team, I know that what I do I will help the student-athletes with their academic, career, and life goals. Reinforcing with them that where they come from does not determine where they end up, however, it just determines where they will start in their journey.
Martin Luther King Jr. said "If you can't fly then run, if you can't run then walk, if you can't walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward." I enjoy coming to work and being a member of a team that inspires student-athletes to persevere and continue making progress, no matter what it takes.
Rivers: Celebrating one of the team's first NCAA championships, the Olympic medals won, and seeing some of the staff and student-athletes at the Olympics. It never stopped with our student-athletes. They have been a body of champions throughout the years
What is your favorite thing about working with the student-athletes?
Rivers: The students arrive from all across the world. Each student brings uniqueness. Their willingness to educate, introduce and share their culture, neighborhoods and genuinely show what makes them who they are is my favorite. I love hearing about so many cultures. There is a tremendous amount of energy the student-athlete brings with them each time they enter into the facility. You can not help but to absorb that energy and join in with the excitement of everyday life of the student athlete and all it encompasses.
What is it about Columbia Athletics that you enjoy coming to work every day?
Rivers: As a member of the Success Through Well Being team, I know that what I do I will help the student-athletes with their academic, career, and life goals. Reinforcing with them that where they come from does not determine where they end up, however, it just determines where they will start in their journey.
Martin Luther King Jr. said "If you can't fly then run, if you can't run then walk, if you can't walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward." I enjoy coming to work and being a member of a team that inspires student-athletes to persevere and continue making progress, no matter what it takes.
Denise Cudden began her career at Columbia as an assistant coach for the women's basketball program in 1996 and currently serves as an administrative assistant, working with the Athletic Department's senior staff.
What is your favorite memorable moment you've had during your career?
Cudden: There are too many memorable moments to recount as a coach up to my current role. But I will share my favorite basketball memories - beating Harvard on the road for the first time and taking the team on a tour to Italy (there is nothing better than touring The Vatican and Sistine Chapel with students who have taken Art Hum!). I am proud seeing all the young student-athletes I coached turn into remarkable women.
What is your favorite part about working with senior staff, the coaches, and student-athletes?
Cudden: My favorite part about working with the Senior Staff is that they allow me to work within different aspects of the department. There are so many moving parts. I don't think people realize just how many people work really hard behind the scenes to make things happen. Everyone is so invested in and supportive of the success of all in the department! Working with them also has me engaged and invested in everyone's success - all the coaches, programs and student-athletes.
I love working with the coaches. I get what they are doing, and try to assist when needed. It's also all the little everyday things- Heather's smile, Brett's laugh- coffee from Jackie, laughing with everyone who comes by the Dodge Fitness Center.
What is it about Columbia Athletics that has kept you here throughout your career?
Cudden: It's the people and the campus! This place has been my home away from home. I have honestly gone through so much growth here from a young assistant coach to raising a family with my husband and kids. I have been fortunate to play a number of different roles within the department. I believe so whole-heartedly in what we do here for our student-athletes – excellent athletics and academics in the best city in the world!
Danette Diaz has served as an administrative assistant for over 33 years. Diaz joined the Columbia athletics department on January 29, 1990, working with the rowing, soccer, fencing and wrestling teams. She currently provides support to all the sports with offices at the Dodge Fitness Center, but work closely with men's basketball, women's basketball, fencing, men's swimming & diving, women's swimming & diving, wrestling and all the other sports as needed
What is your favorite memorable moment you've had during your career?
Diaz: It's going to be difficult to pick just one since I work for multiple sports. I feel proud anytime one of our teams or student athletes has a successful season and was able to play a part in that success.
What is your favorite part about working with the student-athletes and coaches?
Diaz: I just love their energy and passion for the sport and they make the work days more enjoyable.
What is it about Columbia Athletics that has kept you here throughout your career?
Diaz: It is definitely the people. Since I have been here for many years, I feel like Columbia Athletics is my family. Every person that I have ever worked with has taught me something different and contributed to my growth in one way or another. I feel like that is very special because I get to keep little wisdom nuggets that remind me of different coaches and players. For me it is a joy to come to work and be able to assist in any capacity in the department.
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