DUBUQUE, Iowa – Loras College Director of Athletics Denise Udelhofen has announced the promotion of Andrea Cannon to the Director of Athletic Communications role as well as the hiring of Alexis Ponce as the Assistant Director of Athletic Communications.

"I am thrilled Andrea has taken on the role of Director of Athletic Communications," said Udelhofen. "Her positive and energetic personality is a welcome addition to the athletic department.  She is passionate about her role telling the story of Loras Athletics and working with student athletes, coaches, and athletic staff. We are excited to watch her take on the director role and lead the athletic communications department."

Cannon completed her first year at Loras as the Assistant Director of Athletic Communications in July 2024. She served as the primary media relations contact for men's and women's volleyball, women's soccer, women's basketball, men's and women's golf, men's and women's tennis, women's wrestling, and softball during the 2023-24 academic year.

In her role, the Mount Prospect, Ill. native was responsible for publishing game recaps and press releases, creating content for social media, maintaining accurate rosters and biographies and mentoring student workers.

Prior to her time as a part of the Duhawk family, Cannon was a graduate assistant at fellow NCAA DIII institution, Elmhurst University, where she earned a Master of Business Administration degree in May 2023. At Elmhurst, she oversaw eight Bluejay programs including men's and women's soccer, men's and women's lacrosse, women's basketball, bowling, cross country and track & field.

Cannon graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in May 2021 with a bachelor's degree in journalism. While at Illinois, she served as a student intern for Fighting Illini Productions, where she assisted in broadcasts for multiple programs. She was also selected to travel with the women's gymnastics team to meets on the road to gather footage and create highlight videos.

"I am excited for another year of Duhawk Athletics," said Cannon. "I want to thank President Collins and Denise Udelhofen for entrusting me with this role. I am lucky to have had so many great mentors in this profession and am eager to implement what I have learned into this department."

Ponce makes her way to Dubuque by way of Simpson College, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sports Administration in May 2024.

"As a former A-R-C student-athlete we welcome Lex to Loras Athletics," said Udelhofen. "We are anxious to see her build relationships with the staff and student-athletes. The athletic communications department is in good hands with Andrea and Lex!"

In addition to being a four-year member of the women's soccer team, Ponce completed several internships with Simpson Athletics including working with the Storm Athletic Communications and Game Operations Departments. Additionally, Ponce assisted in marketing communications at the Drake Relays and added a business operations internship with the Des Moines Buccaneers hockey team.

"I am grateful to have Lex as a part of the team and look forward to seeing her impact here at Loras," said Cannon.

Her responsibilities as an intern with the Drake Relays marketing communications team included designing social media graphics, updating the relay website and editing the event program. As an athletic communications student assistant at Simpson, the Las Vegas native helped livestream Storm sporting events and served as a spotter for the stat crew. With the Buccaneers, she helped execute different theme nights with the promotional staff, in addition to assisting with ticket sales.

"I would like to thank Denise Udelhofen and Andrea Cannon for this opportunity," said Ponce. As a former student-athlete in the American Rivers Conference, I am thrilled to be staying in the league and be part of the Duhawk family. I am eager to continue to work with student-athletes and coaches to showcase what makes Loras College Athletics so special."