SEATTLE -- Erin O'Connell has resigned after seven years as the athletic director at Seattle Pacific University.
 
O'Connell worked 12 years on the SPU athletics senior administrative staff, the first five as the compliance director and senior woman administrator. She was named athletic director on March 17, 2009, after functioning in that role on an interim basis since July 8, 2008, when she succeeded Tom Box.
 
"I am proud to have been a part of, and then the leader of, the SPU athletics team for 12 years," O'Connell said. "Working with our coaches to provide a first class student-athlete experience was always a top priority and, as a result, we were winners in the classroom and in competition. However, the most rewarding part is seeing how many SPU athletics graduates are making a positive impact in society.
 
"I am thankful to the many friends across campus who educated me on their areas of expertise, which in turn benefited our student-athletes. My family and I will forever be Falcon athletics fans and are looking forward to where this transition takes us."
 
The SPU athletic department thrived under her leadership, twice earning the GNAC Academic All-Sports Trophy. A total of 11 student-athletes received prestigious NCAA Post-Graduate Scholarships during her tenure.
 
Administrative support from O'Connell enabled SPU student-athletes to average a 93-percent Division II Academic Success Rate, while achieving a cumulative grade point average higher than 3.20 every quarter.
 The Falcons also exceled in the athletic arena on her watch, compiling 20 conference team crowns, five GNAC Tournament titles and the 2008 women's soccer national championship. O'Connell saw 17 student-athletes capture individual national titles.
 
SPU teams made 30 appearances in the NCAA playoffs during the past seven years.
 
O'Connell also had oversight over SPU's intramural programs and played a vital role in $3.5 million of facility enhancements, including weight room and auxiliary gymnasium renovations and two field turf projects. She also negotiated an agreement with the Seattle Storm that made Brougham Pavilion the practice site for the WNBA franchise beginning in 2010.
 
"Erin's work and effort led to many changes that will benefit our student-athletes and community for years to come," said Jeff Jordan, who oversees the athletic department as the vice president for student life. "She represented SPU athletics well in many ventures for multiple programs, and we are grateful for her years of service."
 
In addition to supervising SPU athletics, O'Connell was active on numerous committees within the NCAA and the Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC).
 
She served from 2006-09 on the NCAA Division II women's basketball regional committee and from 2004-09 on the NCAA women's rowing championship committee, including three years as the chairperson.
 
In March 2014, O'Connell became the first female president of the USRowing board of directors, an organization she served since 2010.

 

Prior to working with the Falcons, O'Connell spent seven seasons as an assistant coach with the University of Washington women's rowing team. She coached the Huskies' varsity four crew to three consecutive Pacific-10 Conference championships between 1999-2001.
 
A native of San Francisco, Calif., O'Connell received her bachelor's degree in English from Washington in 1996. She completed her master's degree in sports administration at Seattle Pacific.
 
O'Connell had an outstanding competitive career from 1993-96 as a coxswain on the UW rowing team. She directed crews to three Pac-10 championships and collected a bronze medal at the NCAA Championships. As a senior, O'Connell was the team captain and a Pac-10 all-conference selection.
 
The search for Seattle Pacific's new athletic director will begin immediately.