Michelle Walsh was selected to be the College’s next Director of Athletics and Physical Education in July of 2015. Walsh came to Vassar after serving as the Associate Director of Athletics and Senior Woman Administrator at the State University of New York at Geneseo in Geneseo, New York.
Walsh directly supervised 11 of the 20 intercollegiate sports, along with the Athletic Training and Athletic Communications staffs, at SUNY Geneseo since her arrival in June of 2012. Walsh assisted and helped implement a departmental strategic plan, while enforcing rules compliance and eligibility for the 20 Division III teams. This past year, SUNY Geneseo earned the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC)’s prestigious Dr. Patrick R. Damore Commissioner’s Cup, given to the member school that exhibits the strongest overall athletic program for the academic year.
“I am deeply honored and excited to lead the Department of Athletics and Physical Education at Vassar,” said Walsh. “I would like to thank President Catherine Bond Hill, Dean Marianne Begemann and the rest of the search committee for this opportunity. I look forward to working with the talented students, faculty, coaches, staff and alumni at Vassar to create an outstanding student-athlete experience.”
During Walsh’s tenure at Geneseo, she implemented the Student-Athlete Foundational Education (SAFE) program, which utilizes evidence-based programming to enhance the development of the whole student-athlete. She has also served as the Deputy Title IX Coordinator for Equity in Athletics at Geneseo, as well as Tournament Director of multiple NCAA postseason events
Previous to her experience at the SUNY institution, Walsh served as the Senior Woman Administrator of Compliance and Student-Athlete Welfare at Fitchburg State University in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. She had oversight of EADA and NCAA Sport Sponsorship & Demographic reporting, and helped schedule all contests and events for the 16 Division III teams. Walsh was responsible for overseeing all fundraising activities, serving as liaison to the Development Office.
Additionally, Walsh introduced a strategic plan to improve competitive success, creating a “Super Fan” program to promote sportsmanship and attendance at home events. She was instrumental in academic monitoring at Fitchburg State, as well as the community response network, collaborative planning group and health and wellness committee.
Before heading to FSU, Walsh served as the Facilities Coordinator and Head Women’s Basketball Coach at Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin. She handled day-to-day operations of the Division III basketball program, holding administrative duties that included scheduling, budget management, transportation and lodging.
The appointment at Vassar is not Walsh’s first experience in the Liberty League, as she was the Interim Head Golf Coach and Assistant Basketball Coach at William Smith College in Geneva, New York from August 2006 until June 2007. Walsh began her career in collegiate athletics as a Graduate Assistant Basketball Coach and Teaching Fellow at fellow Seven Sisters institution Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts.
Throughout the years, Walsh has served on many committees, including chairing the NCAA Division III Men’s Ice Hockey Championship Committee, NCAA Research Committee, and SUNY Geneseo Committee on Hazing Prevention.
A former three-sport student-athlete, Walsh received her degree in engineering from Swarthmore College in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania in May of 1998. She then earned her Master of Science in Exercise and Sport Studies from Smith College in May of 2006, and Master of Business Administration from Fitchburg State in January of 2011.
While at Swarthmore, Walsh was a varsity letter winner in basketball, field hockey and softball, serving as a team captain for all three teams. Walsh earned All-Region and All-American Honorable Mention in 1997 on the field hockey field, and was a All-Conference First Team honoree in both field hockey and softball.
“I am incredibly excited to be part of such a vibrant and diverse college community and welcome the opportunity to build on the current competitive successes of the athletic department while maintaining our commitment to academic excellence,” said Walsh.
