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BIDDEFORD, Maine

³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ Director of Athletics Jack McDonald to step down

Jack McDonald
Jack McDonald

³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ President Danielle N. Ripich, Ph.D., has announced that Vice President of Student Engagement and Director of Athletics Jack McDonald will step down effective September 1, 2017.
 
McDonald, who is stepping down for personal reasons, reflected on his time at UNE saying, "The past two years have been two of the best of my career due to the outstanding leadership of President Danielle Ripich, ³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ's talented and dedicated staff and coaches, and our tremendous student-athletes. The university is a very, very special place, and I have enjoyed working on ³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ's beautiful ocean-front campus and surrounding beaches." 

McDonald, who came to ³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ in June 2015, has led the Nor'easters to significant competitive success, student-athlete achievement and community outreach during his tenure. ³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ won seven conference championships over the last two academic years, while its student-athletes have maintained a 3.25 cumulative grade point average.

"Part of my vision for ³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ has always been the growth of our Athletics programs," said President Ripich." Jack made that vision a reality, overseeing the addition of new sports and state-of-the-art athletic facilities while shepherding the success of our student-athletes." 

McDonald hired men's ice hockey head Coach Kevin Swallow, women's rugby head coach Ashley Potvin-Fulford and football head coach Mike Lichten. He also oversaw the programming and design of the 35,000 square-foot expansion of the Harold Alfond Forum.

McDonald has made an impact in the community both on and off campus through his ability to work collaboratively with the city of Biddeford. He has increased the visibility of ³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ Athletics through aggressive marketing and social media promotion of the university's 17 varsity sports, as well as its intramural and club sports programs. Some of McDonald's initiatives included the implementation of ³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ's summer sports camps and clinics for local children; the Blue Crew App to increase student engagement and attendance at contests; the creation of "Nor'easter Neighbors," a student-athlete community outreach group; the establishment of "Irish Eyes are 'Miling," a fun run/walk; and Biddeford School Department Day at a home men's ice hockey game.

 

To apply, visit www.une.edu/admissions

About the ³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ

The ³Ô¹Ï±¬ÁÏ is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of . In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.