Kean Names Chris Morgan New Director of Athletics

UNION, N.J. (8/22/11) – Kean University has named Chris Morgan the new Director of Athletics and Recreation, as he becomes the University’s sixth athletic director in school history.  Morgan, who has served in the same position at Division II Goldey-Beacom College since 1999, will begin on September 1.

“I would like to thank President Dr. Farahi, vice-president (Phil) Connelly and the search committee for this opportunity,” said Morgan.  "My family and I are excited to become part of the Kean University community.”

During his tenure at Goldey-Beacom, Morgan guided the athletic department through its transformation from a four-team NAIA school into a 10-team NCAA Division II institution that now competes in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference.  Under Morgan’s direction, the Lightning have captured seven CACC Championships and have made 13 NCAA Regional Tournament appearances. 

Morgan managed an athletics department that was ranked #3 in Division II for gender equity compliance in 2007 by the Women’s Sport Foundation and was recognized by the NCAA for Overall Excellence in Diversity in 2008.  He was also the head women’s soccer coach at Goldey-Beacom from 1999-2003, guiding the team to four post-season appearances. 

The Wilmington, Del. native has served on numerous NCAA committees, including the women’s soccer national committee from 2004-08 and the men’s golf regional committee from 2003-05.  Most recently, Morgan was appointed to the NCAA Division II Nomination Committee this past spring.  In addition, he was also the vice-president of the CACC from 2004-06. 

Morgan was a four-year letterwinner and three-time captain for the Elizabethtown College men’s soccer team, where he was a member of the 1989 NCAA Division III National Championship squad and was named the Final Four Defensive Most Valuable Player.  He closed out his career as a second-team All-American his senior year in 1990 and is still ranked fourth in Blue Jay history with 38 career assists.  A member of three NCAA tournament teams, Morgan was inducted into the Ira R. Herr Athletics Hall of Fame at Elizabethtown in 2009. 

A 1991 graduate of Elizabethtown, Morgan earned a bachelor of science degree in business administration.  He and his wife Melissa have twin daughters, Katherine and Madeline. 

“I look forward to working with the student-athletes, coaches and staff, as we continue to strive for academic and athletic success,” stated Morgan.