Erica Schuling Promoted to Simmons University Director of Athletics & Recreation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Courtesy of Simmons Athletics Communications

BOSTON – Simmons University Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Renique Kersh has promoted Erica Schuling to Director of Athletics and Recreation, effective March 2022.

Schuling has served in an interim role since January 4, 2022, following the retirement of longtime Director of Athletics Ali Kantor after 33 years with the University.

"Simmons University is committed to empowering women to lead transformational change," says Simmons Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Renique Kersh. "I am thrilled that Erica will take the reins of our outstanding athletics and recreation program and I am confident that she will provide the kind of thoughtful and innovative leadership that will enhance the student experience, increase our alumni and donor engagement, and support and empower the coaching, recreation and sports management staff.  Our student athletes are among the most engaged leaders on campus and I look forward to seeing Erica, the athletics and recreation team and our outstanding student athletes continue this wonderful legacy."  

Coming to Simmons in 2006 as the head soccer coach, Schuling has experienced great success both on and off the field. She took the Sharks to three Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) championship game appearances, including three years into her coaching career where she led the Sharks to its fourth GNAC title in 2009. Off the field, she coordinated Simmons' Lifelong Exercise and Activities Program for the campus community now the Fit @ Simmons program.

Schuling was one of three coaches to present to the Board of Trustees the impact a state-of-the-art outdoor athletic facility would have on the University. She continued to influence the planning and development over the next five years leading up to the opening of the Daly Field Athletic Complex. It was Schuling's soccer team that recorded the first goal scored by Simmons at the facility against Wellesley College on September 1, 2016.

"I am thrilled to be named the Simmons University Director of Athletics and Recreation," says Schuling. "Over the years, I have witnessed the impact participation in sport has on our student-athletes. I look forward to continuing this legacy of transformational learning and focusing on leadership development, diversifying our sport offerings and developing a robust recreation program that will envelop the entire campus community. My goal is that when our students graduate they maintain a strong connection to our programs and continue to serve the Sharks as proud alumnae." 

Throughout her coaching career, Schuling has coached 52 all-conference selections, as well as the 2009 GNAC Rookie of the Year (Justine Beauchamp) and the 2014 GNAC Defensive Player of the Year (Issy Verilli). Additionally, she is well respected by her conference peers as a two-time GNAC Coach of the Year recipient (2009, 2014).

In the fall of 2015, Schuling was promoted to Associate Director of Athletics at Simmons, where her primary focus was on the annual budget projection and oversight. In her role as Associate Athletic Director, she was responsible for all departmental purchasing and expense reporting. Additionally, she had supervisory responsibilities for the coaching staffs of the tennis and cross country programs and served as the Title IX Coordinator for the Athletic Department.

In her new role as Director of Athletics and Recreation, Schuling will be working directly with the Vice President for Student Affairs and the athletics team to define the future athletics organizational structure.

As a member of the Department of Athletics' senior leadership team, Schuling has been integral in the review and development of internal operating policies and procedures that enhance overall department efficiency. She has served as a mentor to her peers; assisting head coaches with goal setting, recruiting plans, schedules, and compliance.

When the COVID 19 Pandemic shutdown athletic programs across the country, Schuling was looked to for input on how to pivot and was a leader in developing our virtual training opportunities for student athletes. She advocated to University leadership the important role our coaches play in recruitment and retention efforts on campus. She led her peers to develop a virtual recruitment strategy and held several virtual athletic recruiting events that included prospective student athletes across all 9 varsity programs. In partnership with the Sports Medicine staff, she worked diligently to create policies and procedures to ensure the health and safety of our community. Athletics proudly reported a 0% transmission rate for Spring of 2021 when Simmons was able to get athletic teams back to training and modified competition.

Schuling has cultivated a tradition with an annual alumni game that brings back former Simmons soccer student athletes to relive their glory days. The alumni return to campus and have the opportunity to participate in a soccer game against the current team. This is followed by a networking session, where resumes and business cards are exchanged and relationships are formed that eventually lead to connections for internships and potential employment opportunities.

She will continue to enhance this alumni tradition throughout the entire athletics and recreation program with the goal of increasing outreach to alumni and potential donors, leveraging the loyalty, commitment, and talents of Simmons athletes.

A native of Weymouth, Massachusetts, Schuling earned a Bachelor's degree in social work from Syracuse in 2004, where she also was a four-year starter for the women's soccer team. A two-year captain, she finished her playing career tied for ninth on the program's all-time assist list and was a Big East Conference Academic All-Star each semester. Additionally, she received the Verhulst Sportswoman of the Year Award in 2003, which is presented to the student-athlete that best exhibits sportsmanship, leadership and attitude on the field.

Currently, Schuling resides in Swampscott, Massachusetts with her wife Tara Schuling and their two children, Spencer (6), and Sloane (3), and their dog, Maui.