ITHACA, N.Y. – The Ithaca College track & field programs have announced the retirement of pole vault coach Matt Scheffler after 18 years with the teams. Scheffler's retirement coincides with the hiring of Dom Mikula '24 as the next pole vault coach coincides for the upcoming 2024-25 season.

Scheffler, who began his coaching career at Ithaca in 2006, constructed a dominant pole vault program on South Hill during his time on staff. Over the past 18 years, Ithaca has earned 44 conference titles in the pole vault, and since 2015, IC men's and women's pole vaulters have earned 28 All-America honors and seven national championships (Katherine Pitman - three, Meghan Matheny - three and Mikula - one).

"I'd like to first thank coaches Jim Nichols, Jennifer Potter, Mary Wallenbeck, and Erin Dinan Frahm for such a supportive and collaborative coaching experience at Ithaca," said Scheffler. "This group has been a pleasure to work with, and I couldn't have asked for a better place to have ended up at. I'd also like to thank Athletic Director Susan Basset for all that she does for our student-athletes, and coaches. The past 18 years at Ithaca have been a rewarding, and unbelievable journey for me. I have been so blessed to have been able to work with such great people, and dedicated pole vaulters."

From 2015 to 2023, Ithaca finished in the top 20 nationally 11 different times at the NCAA Division III Track & Field Championships, including a pair of runner-up finishes for the women's program.

"Coach Scheffler has built a powerhouse pole vault program here at Ithaca College and I am very fortunate to contribute to it as an athlete," said Mikula.

He would be named USTFCCCA National Women's Assistant Coach of the Year in 2022, USTFCCCA Regional Assistant Coach of the Year five times during his career and was named the Collegiate Coach of the Year at the National Pole Vault Summit in 2018.

"Coach Scheffler's name is synonymous with Ithaca College pole vaulting," said Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Susan Bassett '79. "His knowledge and expertise helped create one of the most successful and dominant pole vaulting groups in all of Division III. I would like to thank him for his 18 years of dedication to our track & field teams and student-athletes."

A 2004 graduate of Brockport, Scheffler won state and conference titles during his collegiate career, while setting the indoor and outdoor school records.

" We are grateful for Coach Scheffler's expertise and passion for coaching our pole vaulters," said women's head coach Jennifer Potter '92. "He is one of the top pole vault coaches in the country and we feel confident that he has taught and prepared our new coach, NCAA Champion, Dom Mikula. Coach Scheffler coached and mentored Dom for over eight years. Dom is excited to take over and continue the success of Ithaca track and field and the pole vault event group. We wish Coach Scheffler the best in retirement and thank you for all that you have done for Ithaca track and field."

Mikula, who graduated from Ithaca as the most decorated men's track & field student-athlete in school history, will now oversee one of the most successful programs in Division III.

"My decision to retire coincided perfectly with the desire of Dom Mikula wanting to move into a coaching role," Scheffler continued. "I have had the honor to have worked with Dom for the past decade as both a high school athlete through my club, and as a college athlete here at Ithaca. I have full confidence in Dom's abilities to continue Ithaca's pole vaulting legacy at the conference and national levels."

As a vaulter from 2018-24, Mikula was the 2023 NCAA Division III Outdoor National Champion and an eight-time All-American. He was also named the Liberty League Field Performer of the Year four times, the Niagara Region Indoor Field Athlete of the Year in 2023 and the Liberty League Rookie of the Year in 2018-19. The Trumansburg, N.Y. native set and re-established his own school record at least 13 different times throughout his career and owns the indoor and outdoor marks of 5.13 and 5.11 meters.

"I have full confidence that Coach Mikula will continue the success of Ithaca pole vaulting in his new role with the programs," stated Bassett. "Dom was one of the most decorated student-athletes at Ithaca, across all sports, and I believe he will transition seamlessly to developing our current student-athletes."

Mikula earned his undergraduate and graduate degree from Ithaca in occupational therapy.

"I am fortunate to have the support of Susan Bassett and Coach Scheffler to bring me on to lead such a historic and successful program. I look forward to continuing the program's ways but now on the coaching side."