For Release:           Immediate – September 16, 2021
Contact:                  Steve Ference, Director of University Communications | (518) 429-7742 | sference@sunypoly.edu

UTICA, N.Y. — SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly) announced today that Megan Valentine has been named Director of Athletics for the Wildcats. Valentine takes her place at the helm of the Wildcat Athletics Department as the fourth Director of Athletics and the first woman to hold the position in the 42-year history of the program.

“The SUNY Poly family is very pleased to welcome Megan Valentine to our institution after she stood out during the search process because of her long-term vision for the Wildcat Athletics Department,” said SUNY Poly Acting President Dr. Tod A. Laursen. “Megan’s collaborative spirit and experience in collegiate athletics make her a great fit for our culture, and we look forward to her advocating for our student-athletes and athletics staff as she builds from the strong legacy that her predecessor, Kevin Grimmer, established.”

Valentine brings a plethora of knowledge and experience to the position of Athletic Director at SUNY Poly. Formerly, Valentine served as the Athletics Director at Hilbert College, the Associate Director of Athletics at Fredonia, Director of Membership and Convention Services at the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletics Administrators (NACWAA), the Assistant Athletic Director for Athletics Special Events and Club Sports/Assistant Softball Coach at Wellesley College, and the Compliance and Game Management Coordinator at MacMurray College.

In her tenure at Hilbert College, Valentine was integral in increasing student-athlete enrolment by 25%. She led the planning and development of a state-of-the-art softball and baseball complex that opened in 2021 and a Turf + Track & Field Complex that is scheduled to open in 2023. Valentine was also instrumental in the revitalization of the Hawks Athletics Booster Club and spearheaded an effort to increase athletics-specific contributions in institutional fundraising efforts.

“We are excited to welcome Megan to this important role which will help provide our student-athletes with the resources, knowledge, and experiences that will drive success both on and off the field,” said SUNY Poly Vice President for Student Affairs and Interim Vice President for Enrollment Management Marybeth Lyons.

Megan will be replacing long-time SUNY Poly Athletic Director Kevin Grimmer who was with the Wildcats for 37 years—and 21 years as the Athletic Director—before retiring earlier this year.

As Athletic Director, Valentine will work closely with the Administration and Athletics Staff at SUNY Poly to create an athletics program that draws top talent while further raising the profile of SUNY Poly’s Wildcat teams.

"I would like to thank Vice President for Student Affairs and Interim Vice President for Enrollment Management, Marybeth Lyons, search committee chair Maryrose Raab, and the members of the search committee for this tremendous opportunity to lead the Wildcats Athletics team,” said Valentine. “We know that there is a lot of activity in the higher education and athletics spaces right now that is running the gamut from the NCAA Constitution, name, image, and likeness, diversity, equity, and inclusion, mental health, and the list goes on. It will continue to be paramount that we keep the well-being of our student-athletes at the forefront of decisions. Kevin had a successful, storied tenure here, and I'm really looking forward to rolling up my sleeves and getting to work with the Wildcats' community!"

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About SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly)
SUNY Poly is New York’s globally recognized, high-tech educational ecosystem. SUNY Poly offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in the emerging disciplines of nanoscience and nanoengineering, as well as cutting-edge nanobioscience programs at its Albany campus, and undergraduate and graduate degrees in technology, including engineering, cybersecurity, computer science, and the engineering technologies; professional studies, including business, communication, and nursing; and arts and sciences, including natural sciences, mathematics, humanities, and social sciences at its Utica campus; thriving athletic, recreational, and cultural programs, events, and activities complement the campus experience. As the world’s most advanced, university-driven research enterprise, SUNY Poly boasts billions of dollars in high-tech investments and hundreds of corporate partners since its inception. For information visit www.sunypoly.edu.