From University of Chicago Athletics

University of Chicago Director of Athletics & Recreation Erin McDermott announced the hiring of Rich McNeil as the Assistant to the Athletic Director on Monday.

"We are thrilled to welcome Rich into our Maroon Community," McDermott said. "It is exciting to add this position to help us in so many critical areas that impact our teams and students. Rich brings terrific experiences to the department including having been an accomplished scholar-athlete at Bates. He is a true believer in the Division III educational model of college athletics and is a rising star as an athletic administrator."

The Assistant to the Athletic Director will coordinate operations and event management for varsity events, including serving as tournament director for conference and NCAA post-season events hosted by UChicago and alumni relations events. McNeil will be a scheduler for the department, tracking varsity events. He will also organize student-athlete wellness programming and serve as an advisor to the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. 

McNeil arrives from Bates College where he held the title of Gift Officer for three years. In his role, McNeil created solicitation, engagement and stewardship materials for the Friends of Bates Athletics. He collaborated with Development Office and Athletic Department staff to establish fundraising priorities and identify potential alumni, parents, and friends donors for the 31 varsity teams. He also oversaw the assessment, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of leadership giving and lead annual fund donors.

"I am tremendously grateful for the opportunity to join the University of Chicago Department of Athletics & Recreation," McNeil said. "It is truly an honor to be a part of an institution with an unparalleled academic reputation and history of athletic success. I look forward to working closely with Erin and the rest of the coaches, administrators, and student-athletes who together make Maroon Athletics such an amazing team."

Prior to his role at Bates, McNeil was the Service Manager at Harvard University's Malkin Athletic Center for a year. He had oversight of the recreation center staff and facility, while also assisting with management of the annual budget.

McNeil's other work experience includes two years at Springfield College as Event Manager and Development Office Intern, and two years as an assistant track & field coach for Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

McNeil owns a bachelor's degree in music performance from Bates, and a master's degree in athletic administration from Springfield. As an undergraduate at Bates, he was a four-year varsity letter winner and two-year captain of the track & field team. McNeil was a three-time All-American and earned NESCAC Most Outstanding Male Performer honors in 2010. He also started for three years on the defensive line for Bates football.