The University of Delaware has hired its first female athletic director since the position was created in 1940. Christine Rawak, who previously has worked at the University of Michigan, will assume the new position on June 5th.
Before coming to Delaware, Rawak worked at the University of Michigan, from which she graduated from in 1992. While she attended college, she was four-year varsity letter-winner on the swim team at the University of Michigan.
Newly appointed University of Delaware President Dennis Assanis reported the news of Rawak earning the position yesterday, May 13th. She will lead the 21 Division 1 sports at Delaware in addition to club and intramural sports available at the university. As an athletic director at the University of Delaware, she is a member of the senior staff and will communicate directly with the president of the university.
On accepting the new position, Rawak said, “I am truly honored and humbled for the opportunity to join the Delaware family, and I am grateful for the trust that President Assanis has in me and in my abilities to lead this department. The University is a world-class institution with a community with a clear passion and pride for athletics and for the state of Delaware. My family and I cannot wait to become Blue Hens.” (BlueHens.com)
She majored in sports management, and shortly after graduating, became an assistant swim coach for Michigan. Rawak was extremely successful at Michigan, personally raising more than 170 million dollars in the athletics fundraising campaign.
According to BlueHens.com, in addition to being an assistant coach at U of M, Rawak has worked as the assistant vice president of talent management and development operations, as well as working for Northwestern University at the Office of Alumni Relations and Development.
Alan Brangman–the University of Delaware’s executive treasurer and vice-president– led the search committee to find someone fit for the job. Also aided by the Parker Executive Search, the committee is confident in their decision to hire Rawak.
Others, too, know that Rawak is entirely qualified to take up the position, including colleagues from both the University of Michigan and the University of Delaware. Jim Hackett, former interim director of athletics at the University of Michigan said, “Chrissi has trained her whole life for this athletic director role: “From being a student athlete to coach to raising money for the largest fundraising campaign in Michigan Athletics’ history, to designing and building a brand and communications organization. Delaware is getting one of the Big Ten’s most talented individuals for this role,” (BlueHens.com).