New Director of Athletics Presents Ambitious Vision for Assumption’s Future

Christine Lowthert will Enhance Assumption’s Athletic Profile through Execution of a Strategic Plan that Focuses Upon Academic and Competitive Excellence

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The Assumption College Department of Athletics has announced that Interim Director of Athletics Christine Lowthert has been promoted to the institution’s permanent director of athletics. As Assumption begins a transition from college to university effective June 10, Lowthert will begin implementing her vision and elevating the caliber of Assumption Athletics by enhancing the student-athlete experience, raising existing rigorous academic standards, and creating innovative ways in which to engage the Assumption community in the Athletics program.  

“Assumption is a proud member of NCAA Division II, and as such, we firmly believe in a shared vision to form students who will use their gifts and knowledge to better the world in which they live,” said Lowthert, who has been serving as interim director of athletics since July 2019. “Athletics is one vehicle to achieve those goals. At Assumption, the development of competitive and high-caliber programs, comprised of students who demonstrate key Assumption values, will provide an unsurpassed student-athlete experience that allows Assumption to serve as a model for institutions across the country. I look forward to further raising the institution’s profile not only in the Northeast-10 Conference, but on a national level.”

Under Lowthert’s direction, the Department of Athletics will focus on the continued development of student-athletes with strong academic credentials; increase the institution’s competitiveness and recruitment opportunities; increase community engagement and fundraising goals; and enhance the student-athlete experience.  

Academic Success
For the last several years, Assumption has received the NCAA Presidents’ Award for Academic Excellence, bestowed upon institutions who earn an Academic Success Rate (ASR) of 90 percent or higher. In February, Assumption announced that a school-record of 353 student-athletes were named to the Northeast-10 Conference Fall 2019 Academic Honor Roll. Though Assumption has continuously been recognized by the NCAA for its academic excellence, Lowthert is committed to improving student-athlete retention and graduation rates through the advancement of best practices and enhancing collaboration between faculty and coaches. The department will also expand the role of the faculty athletics representative, providing a more comprehensive support network for student-athletes.  

Competitiveness & Recruitment
Assumption’s goals include developing sport-specific expectations for athletic success including benchmarks such as athletic performance and standards of good sportsmanship. Lowthert and her team will review and enhance staffing, sport performance resources like strength and conditioning and athletic training as well as enhance recruiting opportunities and athletic aid. 

Engagement & Revenue
In order to meet its financial needs, in the next three months, the Department of Athletics will set minimum fundraising goals and increase its fundraising efforts by establishing a corporate sponsorship program.  The department also plans to expand its reach in the community over the next year by planning events to increase alumni and fan engagement while maintaining a commitment to community service.

Student-Athlete Experience
Lowthert’s vision includes a prioritization of enhancements to Assumption’s athletic facilities. These improvements include updates to the turf facilities, locker rooms, athletic training room, varsity weight room, and more. The department will also engage the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee to review the student-athlete experience to ensure a healthy balance between academics, athletics and community engagement.

Culture & Community
Within the first 90 days of the execution of this new plan, the department will create a new values and vision statement to promote integrity and the holistic development of student-athletes, as well as reestablish department priorities; redefine collaboration with divisions across the institution; and enhance the environment in which student-athletes will thrive. Above all, the goal will be to define and communicate the expectations of student-athletes and “what it means to be a Greyhound.”

“Christine’s vision for the future of Assumption’s Department of Athletics is extensive, thorough, and ambitious; an aggressive plan that will position Assumption among the most competitive and complete athletic programs in the country,” said Robert Mirabile, Ph.D., vice president of enrollment management. “Her proven leadership skills and professionalism have guided the department through a time of transition, punctuated by a global pandemic. We look forward to the innovative plan she will implement as the institution transitions to Assumption University and the impact such will have on the academic and athletic development of our student-athletes.”

“Christine is the right person to lead Assumption Athletics at the right time,” said Tom O’Connor ’68, former athletic director of George Mason University. “She possesses a terrific combination of integrity, intelligence, and professionalism. Christine will be a great resource for the athletic department, coaching staff, faculty and administration, and most importantly, the student-athletes.” 

“Congratulations to Assumption and Christine Lowthert,” said Jeff Hathaway, a seasoned professional in collegiate athletics management, who assisted Lowthert as an administrative consultant. “This promotion is well-deserved and a clear recognition of Christine’s work ethic and commitment to Assumption. The coaches, staff and student-athletes trust her and she is well-respected in the Assumption community and the Northeast-10 Conference. Christine is passionate about academics and the value of participation in athletics. I can say with certainty that Christine will continue to enhance the Assumption athletic program and the realm of intercollegiate athletics.”

Hathaway has nearly 40 years of experience in collegiate athletics field and most recently served as vice president/director of athletics at Hofstra University.

Lowthert joined Assumption in 2014 as associate athletic director/compliance coordinator and senior woman administrator, during which she managed a comprehensive NCAA compliance program for Assumption’s 24 NCAA athletic teams as well as the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) that serves the more than 500 student-athletes. 

Lowthert previously served as assistant director of compliance and recruiting at Boston College and as assistant director of compliance at Duquesne University. She earned her B.A. and B.S. from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from Duquesne University. Lowthert expects to complete her Doctorate in Education with a specialization in higher education leadership from Maryville University this December.