On Wednesday, April 23, Rowan University announced that Shawn Tucker, Rutgers University’s former vice president of Athletic Development and deputy athletic director, will be Rowan’s new director of athletics.

“The appointment of Shawn Tucker as our new director of Athletics marks an exciting new chapter for Rowan University,” President Ali Houshmand said in a press release from Rowan Athletics. “He brings not only exceptional leadership and experience, but also a compelling vision for how athletics can elevate the student experience and inspire pride across our broader community.”

“We are confident that under his leadership, our athletic programs will continue to thrive—championing excellence, integrity, and the enduring spirit of Rowan University,” said Houshmand.

Tucker, who graduated from Rutgers with a master’s degree in City Regional Planning and a bachelor’s degree in Geography & Labor Studies, will be replacing former athletic director Dr. John Giannini, who filled the role from 2020-2024 before announcing his retirement in August. Penny Kempf and Gabby Lisella served as co-directors while Joe Cosgrove, a member of the Board of Trustees and special advisor to the president for athletics, and the rest of the search committee hunted for the next athletic director.

“As chair of the search committee, we sought a visionary leader with the experience, integrity, and strategic mindset to guide our athletics program into its next chapter,” Cosgrove told the media in a press release. “In Shawn Tucker, we found someone who not only meets but exceeds those expectations. We are confident that he will enhance the student-athlete experience, strengthen community engagement, and elevate the profile of Rowan University athletics.”

During his time with Rutgers, Tucker helped lead a fundraising program that secured a $15 million gift, the largest in Rutgers University Athletics history, and managed a campaign that raised approximately $20 million annually through engaging nearly 75,000 Rutgers supporters. He also worked directly with NIL partners and corporate sponsorship teams to help increase brand visibility and direct student funding for over 700 student-athletes.

Tucker will serve as the chief administrator for Rowan Athletics and work with the leadership team to ensure policies and procedures that not only help strengthen the athletic teams, but continue to push the educational goals of the student-athletes. In addition to that, he will also work with University Advancement to broaden alumni, corporate, and private giving programs to help improve the various athletic facilities.

His arrival at Rowan comes at an important time, as the university is already a top 100 public research school and has seen enrollment double over the last decade. It’s also ranked as the third fastest-growing research university in the nation. Throughout this span, Rowan Athletics has become one of Division III’s finest with 26 New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Championships and 19 appearances in the NCAA Championships over the last five years. Last year, Rowan was ranked 21st in the nation in the Learfield Division III Directors Cup and earned its fourth consecutive NJAC cup in 2023-24, making it the most successful program in the conference five times over the last six years.

“Rowan Athletics has been the gold standard for DIII Athletics in New Jersey and has built a national reputation for consistency in various sports,” Tucker said to the media. “I look forward to working with our students, coaches, staff, and leadership team to continue to build Rowan University Athletics into a premier destination for elite student-athletes competing and learning at the highest level.”

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