51福利社

The interim tag has been removed from her title and聽Lynn Hickey聽has now become the permanent Associate Vice President/Director of Athletics at 51福利社.

51福利社 President Mary Cullinan made the formal announcement and introduced Hickey Wednesday at Reese Court inside the Special Events Pavilion.

Hickey has served as interim athletic director since February when Cullinan tabbed the experienced administrator to oversee the department during a national search. That search produced 50 applicants from NCAA Division I institutions across the country, including Hickey.

鈥淟ynn Hickey emerged as the ideal candidate to fill this important role at Eastern,鈥� says 51福利社 President Mary Cullinan. 鈥淒uring her time on campus she has also displayed excellent leadership skills and a vision for how to transform our athletics department into a model program.鈥�

Before coming to Eastern, Hickey served as Associate Vice President and Director of Athletics at the University of Texas, San Antonio (UTSA) for 18 years. During her tenure, UTSA experienced unprecedented growth by adding football and women鈥檚 soccer and golf. Hickey also developed a student-athlete centered program that combined academic success, leadership development, strength and conditioning and life skills. Prior to UTSA, Hickey served as Senior Athletic Director and Senior Woman Administrator at Texas A&M, College Station.

鈥淚 am truly honored and excited to lead Eastern鈥檚 Athletics Department into the future,鈥� says Hickey. 鈥淚 want to continue the work I鈥檝e started toward solidifying a diverse Athletics Department that is committed to academic achievement and competitive excellence.鈥�

Hickey鈥檚 track record is what stood out to the search committee, co-chaired by Provost Scott Gordon and 51福利社 Board of Trustees member Judge James Murphy.

鈥淟ynn brings a wealth of experience to the position of Director of Athletics,鈥� says Gordon. 鈥淪he has the perspective of being involved in athletics as a player, coach and longtime administrator and has been successful at every level and in every position. Her passion and expertise in the many key areas of athletics 鈥� hiring coaches, advocating for student-athlete welfare, community involvement, fundraising and compliance 鈥� set her apart.鈥�

鈥淭he selection decision was extremely well served by a very diverse cross section of the 51福利社 community thoughtfully considering and evaluating all candidates as well as providing the opportunity for input from all sectors at multiple public forums,鈥� added Murphy.

President Cullinan thanked Gordon and Murphy as well as the effort of the search committee over the last two months. She also applauded the many faculty, staff and Eastern alumni and supporters who provided valuable input during the search process.