On May 19, 2014 Emerson College Athletics began a new chapter as Patricia Nicol took office as the sixth Athletic Director in program history. Nicol brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise in collegiate athletics after serving as the Athletic Director of Southern Connecticut State University for ten years. With her history of success and leadership, Nicol looks to lead Emerson as they enter their second academic year as a member of the elite New England Men’s And Women’s Athletic Conference.
In her decade at the helm of the SCSU Athletic Department, Nicol saw the Owls rise to an immense level of success compiling one NCAA Division II Championship (women’s basketball in 2007) and 11 individual NCAA Division II Championships. In that span, Southern Connecticut’s teams made 93 NCAA Championship appearances and produced a total of 220 All-Americans during her tenure.
A key component to the leadership style of Nicol is that of focusing on and celebrating the academic aspect of the student-athlete experience as well as service to the community. While at SCSU the Owls claimed nearly 2,000 selections to the Northeast-10 Commissioner’s Honor Roll as well as spearheading an annual National Student-Athlete Day.
Nicol also spearheaded facility improvements to both Moore Field House and Jess Dow Field, including a complete replacement of the artificial surface, during the 2010-11 academic year. She also oversaw the creation of an individual Community Service accolade awarded to one exceptional student-athlete each academic year.
Prior to her time as Athletic Director at SCSU, Nicol served as associate director of athletics with the Owls’ administration following three years as assistant director of athletics at the University of Maryland. Before that, Nicol spent six years as associate director of athletics at Providence College.
Her efforts and success in leadership have not gone unnoticed as well as she was a 2010 nominee for the Division II Athletic Director of the Year award.
Nicol earned bachelor’s (1980) and master’s (1983) degrees from the University of Rhode Island, where she was a five-time NCAA qualifier in track and field. Inducted into the URI Athletic Hall of Fame in 1990, she also served as head cross country/track coach at West Virginia University in 1983-84.
In April, 2013, Nicol was selected as a recipient of the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the University of Rhode Island and the Rhode Island House of Representatives.
Nicol has two children, Christine and Michael.
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