Carnegie Mellon University Names Assistant Athletics Directors for Campus Recreation

Aug. 18 – (PITTSBURGH, Pa.) – Carnegie Mellon University Director of Athletics, Physical Education and Recreation Susan Bassett has named Todd Jackson and Sara Gauntner as Assistant Directors of Athletics with specific responsibilities for campus recreation.

In a restructuring of the department’s University Programs staff, Bassett hired Jackson as Assistant Director of Athletics for Intramurals and Club Sports and promoted Gauntner to Assistant Director of Athletics for Instructional Programs and Recreation. Jackson will also serve as Director of Intramurals while Gauntner will retain her responsibilities as Director of Aquatics. Both Jackson and Gauntner will have teaching assignments within the physical education program.

“We are truly excited that Todd and Sara will lead our recreational athletics programming to the next level. This area of our department serves 90 percent of our student body as well as the campus community. This is a tremendous opportunity to bring fresh ideas to the department and encourage more individuals to engage in an active lifestyle,” Bassett said. “Todd’s experience with excellent intramurals programs and a similarly rigorous academic environment prepare him well to lead these programs. Sara’s proven excellence as our Aquatics Director and knowledge of the students of Carnegie Mellon will allow her to hit the ground running as she assumes this leadership role.”

After spending the past three years as the Robert D. Kennedy Director of Intramural Sports at Cornell University, Jackson will join the Carnegie Mellon staff next month and oversee all aspects of intramurals and club sports. A 1999 graduate of the University of Connecticut, Jackson has spent time working in recreational services at his alma mater, as well as Nova Southeastern University. A former middle school science teacher, Jackson has officiated high school and college basketball and received his master’s degree in education from the University of Connecticut in 2000.

 “I’m looking forward to working with an outstanding group of successful athletics department staff members and I’m really excited about the opportunity to become engaged in recreational programs that involve the entire Carnegie Mellon campus community,” Jackson said.

Gauntner arrived at Carnegie Mellon in August 2005 as the Director of Aquatics and assistant men’s and women’s swimming and diving coach. Gauntner has been responsible for all operational aspects of the aquatics facility and was a member of the 2008-09 University Athletic Association Men’s Swimming and Diving Coaching Staff of the Year. A graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Gauntner recently received her master’s degree from the School of Sports Leadership at Duquesne University.

“I’m thrilled to have this opportunity to get more people involved with recreation at Carnegie Mellon,” Gauntner said. “I think my past experiences make me a good fit and I’m looking forward to connecting with as many groups and individuals across campus as possible. I can’t wait to partner with Todd and our outstanding University Programs team to enhance the recreational opportunities for the entire community.”

In June, former Carnegie Mellon Assistant Director of Athletics Mike Mastroianni stepped down to accept a position as Director of Athletics at Quaker Valley High School. After Mastroianni’s departure, Bassett seized the opportunity to restructure the department to augment the recreational offerings for students, faculty and staff across campus.

“The search process to replace Mike resulted in the restructuring of our recreational program,” Bassett said. “We believe that leading an active lifestyle is an integral part of the educational experience and by adding Todd and Sara to our leadership team, we are confident we can provide a most conducive environment for recreational participation for all members of the Carnegie Mellon family.”