Stevens’ Celine Cunningham to Become Senior Associate AD at Bates
Jonathan McCue
LEWISTON, Maine (May 23, 2018) –
Celine Cunningham, who has served as Stevens Institute of Technology women's lacrosse coach since 2002 and as an administrator since 2006, has announced she has accepted the role of senior associate athletic director at Bates College, effective this summer.
"It is quite difficult for me to summarize in a few sentences how much of an impact Celine has had on our athletic program," said Stevens director of athletics
Russell Rogers. "From her success as a coach to the leadership and mentoring she has provided for so many to the multitude of behind the scenes administrative details she has taken care of, Celine is truly an educator in every sense of the word. She will always be a part of the Stevens Athletics family and we wish her nothing but the best in her transition to Bates College."
She has been associate director of athletics at Stevens since 2011 and senior woman administrator since 2006. She has been the head coach of women's lacrosse at the Castle Point since 2002.
"I am delighted to welcome
Celine Cunningham to the Bobcats family," said Bates AD Jason Fein. "She brings with her a varied portfolio including successful experience in athletics administration and coaching. She impressed everyone that she met with here at Bates with her winning attitude and caring disposition, which will serve our student-athletes and coaches well. I am looking forward to working with her when she begins her tenure this summer."
Cunningham concluded her coaching career at Stevens by guiding the Ducks to their third NCAA Tournament appearance, which ended last Saturday in a loss at Bowdoin. She compiled 202 victories over 16 seasons, and won Empire 8 Conference Coach of the Year honors in 2009, 2011 and 2017.
As associate AD at Stevens, Cunningham maintained oversight of the men's soccer, field hockey, men's and women's cross country and track and field, men's fencing, and women's basketball programs, including budget management, student-athlete evaluations and coaching performance reviews. She was responsible for all aspects of NCAA compliance, including the education of staff and student-athletes in addition to NCAA compliance certification for over 500 students. Cunningham was also responsible for all aspects of staff and student-athlete education, including Title IX training, safe zone training, bystander training, hazing prevention and leadership training.
"I am honored to join the Bates family," said Cunningham. ""There were so many factors that drew me to this position, most importantly the constant commitment to the student-athlete experience at Bates and the promising future of the athletics department. I also want to thank the members of the Stevens community, from the student-athletes to our coaches and leadership. Stevens is a special place because of all of you."
Cunningham played both field hockey and lacrosse at the University of Maryland. During her time as a Terrapin, Cunningham was a four-year starter, a captain of the field hockey team and won the 1981 national championship in women's lacrosse. She capped off her collegiate career by being named a first-team All-American and a member of the U.S. National Squad.
Cunningham earned a bachelor's degree in kinesiology at Maryland, followed by a master's degree in coaching and administration from Concordia University of Irvine, California. Prior to her time at Stevens Institute, Cunningham was the first head coach of women's lacrosse at Columbia University, from 1996 to 2002. Before that, she was an assistant lacrosse and field hockey coach at Georgetown University.
Over her career, Cunningham has amassed an array of leadership experiences in college athletics. She has chaired both the NCAA Women's Lacrosse and Women's Lacrosse Rules Committees and served on the Board of Directors of the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association. Cunningham is a member of Women Leaders in College Sports, the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics, the Alliance of Women Coaches and the NCAA DIII SWA Program, among many other organizations.