| Title: | Director of Athletics |
| Email: | stefanie.a.whitby@wilmu.edu |
Dr. Stefanie Whitby was named the Director of Athletics starting February 2018. Dr. Whitby brings a a wealth of knowledge to the Athletics Department, first competing in track and field at Villanova and coaching at Temple.
The new Director of Athletics has been a part of the Wildcat family since 2009, first coming to Wilmington as a Recruiter. She served as the Senior Director of Alumni Relations for several years before she was appointed as the Senior Director of the University Partnership Center in 2016.
“Wilmington University has built a reputable tradition of successful athletics programs with a passionate and dedicated team of administrators, coaches and student athletes,” Dr. Whitby stated. “Coaching and competing on the collegiate stage is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I am excited to be back in the athletics community and to be able to play a part in the continued growth of the WilmU Athletics Department.”
Dr. Whitby is no stranger to athletics, as she came to Wilmington after a four-year stint as the Head Men’s and Women’s Track and Field Coach at Temple University. She became the first woman to serve as a head coach for a men’s sport in the 113-year history in 2004. Dr. Whitby helped lead the track programs to new heights during her tenure, as well as revive the men’s cross country program after a 20-year hiatus.
“As a former collegiate athlete at Villanova and Head Coach for Track and Field, she understands the joys and challenges of participating in athletics at the college level,” Wilmington University Vice President of Student Affairs and Alumni Relations Dr. Tina Barksdale said of Dr. Whitby. “She is passionate about athletics and believes it is an integral part of the University. With all of this experience, she is the ideal person to fill this position and will be instrumental in helping athletics with continued success and I’m confident she will be able to take the department to another level.”
Dr. Whitby was a member of the women’s track and field team at Villanova University under Philadelphia area legendary head coach Marty Stern. She was a member of the All-Big East Distance Medley Team during the 1988 Indoor Track and Field season, placing second at the conference meet. She earned her degree in psychology from Villanova in 1990.
She completed her Master’s in Education in Counseling Psychology from Temple University in 1992, and recently earned her Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership from Wilmington University.