Stephanie Smyrl to Lead Emerson’s Athletics Department

Emerson College has named Stephanie Smyrl as the new Associate Dean for Campus Life & Director of Athletics, beginning May 22. Smyrl joins Emerson from Lesley University, where she has served as Athletic Director since 2019.

“Stephanie brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to Emerson, and I have the utmost confidence that she will grow and strengthen the College’s athletic tradition, and deepen the Lion pride among our community and beyond,” said Jim Hoppe, Vice President and Dean for Campus Life.

Smyrl succeeds former Athletic Director Patricia Nicol, who retired last month after leading the department since 2014.

“I’m thrilled to join Emerson and to work alongside and collaborate with our deeply committed student-athletes and athletics staff, further fostering the vision of the Athletics Department,” said Smyrl. “I strongly believe in the mission and values of the College, and Athletics’ emphasis on leadership and learning.”

Smyrl was promoted to Lesley’s Director of Athletics in January 2019 after having served as Interim Director since June 2018. She joined the Athletic Department as the Associate Athletic Director in November 2017.

During her tenure at Lesley, Smyrl spearheaded the university’s application and acceptance into the North Atlantic Conference (NAC), initiated a multi-tiered partnership for off-campus athletic facilities that serve all programs and significantly enhance the student-athlete and spectator experience, utilized a budget increase to improve student-athlete experience, increased assistant coaches’ pay, and ensured continued financial equality across all programs. She was nominated by Lesley’s president to serve on the Administrative Leadership Group, was chosen to serve on the NAC Membership Committee, and was nominated to serve on the NCAA DIII Advisory Council.

Prior to joining Lesley, Smyrl served 11 years with former New England Collegiate Conference member Wheelock’s Athletic Department. While at Wheelock, she served as the Associate Director of Athletics and Senior Woman Administrator for nine years, and previously as the Assistant Athletic Director from 2008-09.

Smyrl began her coaching career at Endicott College, serving as a women’s soccer assistant coach for two years. She holds an MBA from Endicott and received her undergraduate degree from Stony Brook University. A four-year member of the Division I women’s soccer team, the Pittsburgh native was named co-captain her senior year. Smyrl lives in Boston with her wife, Leise, and their twins, Kellam and Evie.