Mark C. Reed, Dean of Students, named Associate Vice President with reporting oversight for varsity athletics

Mark C. Reed, Dean of Students, named Associate Vice President with reporting oversight for varsity athletics

President Aloysius P. Kelley, S.J. announced Wednesday that the University's Athletic Department will no longer report directly to the President but will be integrated into the Division of Student Services. He also promoted current Dean of Students, Mark Reed, to the position of Associate Vice President to oversee the varsity program. The Recreation Department, including club sports, intramurals, other recreation programs, and the Leslie C. Quick, Jr. Recreation Complex are currently under Reed's supervision.

Kelley said, "My time spent with the program has not only expanded my understanding of the important role varsity athletics plays in the life of an institution, but has also provided me with greater insight into the complexity of issues such programs face." He stated further, "A fully developed program of both intercollegiate and recreational opportunities is vital to the Jesuit educational mission of educating the whole person. I am confident that varsity athletics at Fairfield will be better served by integrating it into the Division of Student Services where it will receive even more attention. It is also hoped that the reorganization will lead to greater involvement by the entire student body."

"I have enjoyed immensely working with Gene Doris, Director of Athletics, during the past 10 years," Kelley said. "He is a seasoned administrator, extremely well informed, and exercises good judgment in addressing the issues involved in major collegiate athletics."

Praising Reed, Father Kelley said "During his tenure at the University, Mark Reed has distinguished himself as an outstanding administrator. His energy, spirit, and devotion to an increasingly vibrant campus environment for students will serve the institution well as he and Gene Doris collaborate with our new President in support of an even stronger program for Fairfield."

"I see this as a win-win for students," Reed said of the change. "It will open new doors of possibility for intercollegiate athletics and help student athletes be more fully engaged in the life of the University. Gene Doris and I already have a close relationship and I welcome the chance to work with him on this important area of student life."

Reed indicated that the level of the President's involvement in major policy issues concerning athletics would not diminish under this new reporting structure and he is assured that President-elect Jeffrey von Arx, S.J. will be engaged in and committed to a strong program of intercollegiate and recreational opportunities. Reed will report directly to the President on issues involving athletics.

Gene Doris, who is in his 10th year as athletics director, said, "During his tenure at Fairfield, Mark Reed has been a staunch advocate of intercollegiate athletics. His experience on several committees dealing with athletic issues positions him to further the interests of student athletes. In addition, as an alumnus, he brings a unique perspective on the value that intercollegiate athletics can add to a university community and its extended family."

Mark Reed will assume the position of Associate Vice President and Dean of Students on June 1. A Fairfield resident, Reed is also an alumnus of the University. After receiving an undergraduate degree in mathematics, he spent four years teaching and coaching at the secondary level while earning an M.Ed. in Educational Administration from Boston College. He returned to Fairfield as assistant to the Dean of the Charles F. Dolan School of Business and later served as Associate Director of Annual Giving. He also received an M.B.A. from Fairfield. In 2001, he was named Dean of Students. In that role, Reed, in addition to overseeing club sports, recreation and intramurals, is responsible for judicial affairs, residence life and housing, student life and university activities, new student programs, off-campus student affairs, and is involved in student advocacy issues including Title IX compliance. Reed also serves on a number of University committees such as the Athletic Advisory Committee, and chaired the Equity, Welfare and Sportsmanship subcommittee for the NCAA interim report in 2002. He has taught as an adjunct both in the Mathematics department and in the MBA Program.

Fairfield University sponsors 19 varsity sports, all of which compete at the Division I level of the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Fairfield is a founding member of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. The varsity program includes eight men's sports - baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, lacrosse, soccer, swimming and diving and tennis, and 11 women's sports - basketball, crew, cross country, field hockey, golf lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, and volleyball. Approximately 400 students compete in varsity sports.

The University also fields nine club sports including equestrian, ice hockey, karate, men's crew, men's rugby, men's volleyball, ski and snowboarding, track and field and women's rugby, along with a host of intramural and fitness programs. More than 1700 students participate in these programs annually.

Posted On: 05-20-2004 10:05 AM

Volume: 21 Number: 7