Penn State Abington Alum Named New Athletics Director

ABINGTON, PA — Former Penn State Abington softball and basketball player Erin Foley will soon begin a career with her alma mater after she was hired as the school’s new athletics director.

Foley, who completed her degree at University Park (Penn State’s main campus) back in 2000, was recently named the new director of athletics, intramurals and recreation at Penn State Abington, a residential, suburban campus with around 3,700 students.

She will assume the role effective July 12.

“Erin’s leadership and experience are a perfect match for our dynamic athletic and recreation programs,” Penn State Abington Director of Student Affairs Gina Kaufman said in a statement.

Foley previously served as athletics director at Howard Community College in Columbia, Maryland, where she also took part in the strategic planning and development of a new $101 million math and athletics building, the addition of e-sports, and raised the men’s and women’s soccer programs to National Junior College Athletic Association scholarship sports in 2020, according to a news release from Penn State Abington.

“I would like to thank Abington Chancellor Margo DelliCarpini, Director of Student Affairs Gina Kaufman, and the search committee for the opportunity to return home to serve my alma mater,” Foley said in the statement. “I am honored to be selected as the next director of athletics, and I’m excited to start working with the student athletes, faculty, and staff at Penn State Abington.”

Before her time at Howard Community College, Foley was the athletic director for Notre Dame of Maryland University, where she provided leadership and oversight for eight NCAA Division III athletic teams, campus wellness efforts and budget matters, according to Penn State’s news release. It was there that she also added women’s cross country to the school’s mix of sports and worked to raise money for Notre Dame’s Civera Fitness Center.

Foley holds a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from Penn State and a master’s degree in sports and recreation administration from Temple University. She resides in Ambler, Montgomery County.