Jason Fein named director of athletics at Bates College
Bates President Clayton Spencer announced today that Jason Fein, director of athletics at Drew University, will become director of athletics at Bates effective July 1.
“I am delighted that Jason will be joining us at Bates,” said Spencer. “He is a seasoned athletics director in Division III with a broad and rich professional network across the NCAA. Jason’s intellect, passion, humor, and generous spirit shone through in his visit to campus and will make him a wonderful addition to the Bates community.”
Jason Fein, director of athletics at Drew University, will become director of athletics at Bates College effective July 1.
“I am thrilled to join the team at Bates where athletics is a strong and well-integrated element of the overall student experience,” said Fein.
“With such a distinctive brand and historic legacy in the NESCAC, Bates is well-positioned for continued success in the most competitive Division III conference in the country. I look forward to collaborating with the entire Bates community to strengthen the overall culture of recreation and fitness on campus.”
Fein will lead a Bates athletics program that comprises 31 varsity sports, 12 club sports, and nearly a dozen intramural athletic leagues. He will oversee the development and execution of a long-term strategic vision for Bates athletics and manage the day-to-day operations of the athletics department, serving as an advocate for the needs of student-athletes, coaches, and staff.
“Jason will be a key leader on campus, contributing to many aspects of the overall Bates experience,” said Joshua McIntosh, vice president of student affairs and dean of students. “Working closely with students, faculty, and staff, he will cultivate programs and policies to continue Bates’ success in developing leadership, collaboration, and a strong work ethic among all students who participate in any aspect of athletics at Bates.”
Since 2008, Fein has served as director of athletics at Drew University in Madison, N.J., a Division III varsity intercollegiate program with 20 sports and more than 300 student-athletes. In 2016, the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) honored Fein as a Division III Athletic Director of the Year and the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) named him a Division III Administrator of the Year.
At Drew, Fein has overseen an expansion of athletics programming, significant facility improvements, and increased fundraising and alumni engagement. With a background in sports information, he also modernized Drew’s athletic brand identity and introduced an improved fan experience on campus and through digital media. As a national leader, he has served on NCAA, NACDA, ECAC, and other league committees on topics of diversity and inclusion, governance, and awards.
Fein’s appointment at Bates follows a national search overseen by a committee comprising students, faculty, and staff and supported by Parker Executive Search, a leading U.S. college athletics search firm.
Prior to joining Drew University, Fein was director of athletics at the College of Staten Island (CSI) of the City University of New York, where he expanded team offerings, led fundraising efforts, and coordinated numerous capital improvements and facility developments. Before directing athletic programming at CSI, Fein served as sports information director and coached women’s volleyball and basketball. He also served as assistant director of athletics and sports information director at Brooklyn College, also part of the City University of New York.
Fein’s sports information experience extends to a wide variety of posts, including as post-season media relations coordinator for the New York Yankees from 1996 to 2012; media relations and press operations for numerous NCAA championships in men’s basketball, men’s ice hockey, women’s rowing, and football; and media relations for skating venues at the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City.
Fein is a graduate of Brooklyn College, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education and a master’s degree in sports management. Fein will relocate to Maine this summer.
Fein succeeds Kevin McHugh, who will step down on June 30 after 10 years as director of athletics at Bates.
