Patricia Nicol named Athletics Director

Patricia “Pat” Nicol has been named director of athletics and recreation at Emerson College and will begin her post on May 19, according to an announcement from Dean of Students Ron Ludman.

Nicol comes from Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU), where she has served as director of intercollegiate athletics since 2005.

“Pat brings a very strong record of achievement as an athletic administrator,” Ludman said. “[This] will serve the College well as we seek to strengthen our athletics and recreation programs, paying particular attention to our efforts to enhance the student-athlete experience.”

Previously, Nicol served as SCSU’s associate director of intercollegiate athletics/senior woman administrator/director of NCAA rules compliance.

“I was drawn to Emerson because of its impressive mission and core values,” Nicol said. “I am very pleased to work for an institution with a strong emphasis on student excellence, whether that be in classes in communication and performing arts, or scoring points on the basketball and volleyball courts. Emerson is truly a place where individual growth and talent is embraced, and that’s something I feel privileged to be a part of.”

Nicol earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in physical education from the University of Rhode Island. An accomplished student-athlete in both cross-country and track and field, Nicol has served as head coach of teams in these sports earlier in her career.

Ludman, in an announcement to the community, expressed the College’s and his “deep appreciation” for the work of Stan Nance, who has been working “tirelessly and selflessly” as interim athletics director.

“He was instrumental in facilitating the entry of our intercollegiate athletic program to the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference [NEWMAC],” Ludman said. “Additionally, he provided a deft and steady hand during a challenging period for our athletic program.”

Nance will be promoted to senior associate director of athletics upon Nicol’s arrival, at which point he will have leadership responsibility for alumni affairs and recruitment, among other tasks.

Ludman also thanked Emerson community members of an athletic director search committee that he chaired: Assistant Professor Michael Brown of Journalism; Lynn Butkovsky, director of the Academic Advising Center; William Gould, head coach of Women’s Basketball; Al Jaffe, Emerson Trustee; Ruthanne Madsen, associate vice president for Student Financial Services; Margaret Moore, head coach of Women’s Lacrosse; Tatiana Motevalli-Oliner ’14, a softball player; Julian Rifkind ’15, a baseball player; Rob Rudnick ’77; and Christopher Wright, director of enrollment technology.