Ryan Ehrie of Williamsburg, Virginia has been named as Penn State Hazleton's new athletic director. Ehrie, who began his duties on September 15, comes to Penn State Hazleton from the United States Collegiate Athletic Association where he serves as senior administrator of championships and previously held the position of administrator of membership services and championships.
At the USCAA, Ehrie expanded the opportunities in several sports, adding teams to the men's soccer, women's soccer and softball championships and was integral in creating partnerships with business and community groups in areas where new basketball tournaments were added to the USCAA's Basketball National Championships week. Ehrie also oversaw the championships sub-committee and designated and created the first sports committees for all USCAA Championship sports. He also managed the All-American selection process.
Tracy Garnick, director of Student Services and Engagement, said, "We are excited to welcome Ryan Ehrie as the new athletic director. He is an excellent fit for the campus. He brings a great deal of energy, enthusiasm and knowledge in collegiate sports with him. We look forward to enhancing and expanding our athletic, recreation and intramural programs."
Chancellor Gary Lawler added, "Athletics are the most requested co-curricular activities on campus, allowing students to enhance their collegiate experience and fulfill their need to participate in higher level sporting events. Athletes are among our most successful students because of the leadership and time management skills they develop when playing a sport."
Ehrie will replace the long-serving Dr. Thomas Caccese who retired in December after forty years of service to the University.
In his position, Ehrie will be responsible for leading a dynamic athletics, recreation and intramural program. This will include the management of personnel, operations, recreational facilities and the recruitment of new scholar athletes.
Before joining the USCAA, Ehrie served as assistant athletic director at Penn State Fayette from 2009-2012.
A native of Montrose, Ehrie earned his bachelor's degree in kinesiology from Penn State and a master's degree in sport studies with an emphasis in sport management from the University of Tennessee.
Contact information:
Ryan Ehrie
570-450-3075