USD Men's Basketball 2003-2004

Page 54 JO-ANN NESTER Director ofAthletics

DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS

Jo-Ann Nester was promoted to Director of Ath letics at the University of San Diego on September 25, 2003. Nester, who was in her second year as Associate Director ofAthletics and Senior Woman Adm ini strator, will oversee all the daily operations of the Torero athletic department that includes sixteen NCAA Division I interco llegiate programs. She rep laced Tom Iannacone who announced his retirement on July 14th after directing the department for fifteen years. "We are extremely pleased to announce Jo-Ann Nester as USD's Director of Athletics," stated Bob Pastoor, USO Vice President for Student Affairs. "Her years of experience as an athletic administrator have prepared her well for this position. She clearly understands her role with this department and within the mission of the university." In her role thi s past year at USO, Nester had direct supervisory responsibility for nine varsity sports programs including budget preparation and oversight, supervision ofall head and assistant coaches, scheduling, travel and program evaluation. Additionally, she was involved with fundraising for women 's sports programs; she had direct supervisory responsibility for the areas of Compliance, Academic Support, CHAMPS Life Skills, oversight of Student Ath letic Council, New Ath lete Orientation program and the Faculty

Team Adv isor Program; she assisted in the monitoring of gender equity; was the Senior Woman Administrator Liaison to the West Coast Conference and NCAA; event management responsibi lites for three teams; and was the department liaison for Admissions, Drug and Alcohol Education, Dining Services, Housing and Work Study.

"I am abso lutely thrilled and humbled to be named the Director of Athletics at the University of San Diego," stated Jo-Ann Nester. "I can honestly tell you that this appointment has been the goal ofmy career. To be an Athletic Director at a NCAA Division I, academically

rigorous institution is what I have strived to be. I look forward to working together with our outstanding coaches and staff and moving this program forward . We ' ll continue to focus on our objectives together, work hard and have fun achieving those objectives." Nester is committed to maintaining the Un iversity and Athletic Department commitment to providing an outstanding and successful NCAA Division I athletic program within the rigorous academic environment that is the University of San Diego. In 2002-03 , six Torero teams went to the NCAA 's and Ashley Swart became the first USO swimmer to qualify for the NCAA Champion ships and was named an Honorable Mention All-American. Academically, thirteen athletes were named to West Coast Conference All– Academic teams, nine football players were named to the Pioneer Football League All-Academic team and two student - athletes were honored as 2nd Team Verizon Academic All-Americans. Continuing this tradition ofexce l– lence in the classroom and competitive arena while providing an excellent athletic experi ence for our student-athletes will be the priority during Nester's tenure as the USO Director of Athletics. Nester came to USO from Dartmouth Co llege where she held the position of Associate Director of Athletics for nine years. Her duties included overs ight of compliance, student services, promotions and marketing, and numerous sports programs. Prior to her appointment at Dartmouth College, she was the Director of Athletics and Recreation at Saint Mary 's College in Notre Dame, Indiana between 1984-93. In addition , she has a coaching background at the high school and college levels, and has served on several committees within the NCAA, ECAC and Ivy League. Jo-Ann 's education al background includes a B.S . degree in Health and Physical Education from West Chester State College ( 1971 ); a Master of Science degree from West Chester ( 1976); an Ed.D Doctor of Education from Temple University ( 1985); and she completed the Sports Management Institute in the Executive Program at the University of Notre Dame (1992).

University ofSan Diego Mission Statement The University of San Diego is a community of schol– ars committed to the pursuit oftruth, academic excellence and advancement ofknowledge in liberal arts andprofes– sional programs. Independent and comprehensive, the University is dedicated to providing a value-based educa• lion to all students in its College and Schools. A Roman Catholic institution, the University is com– mitted to beliefin God, to the recognition ofthe dignity of each individual and to the development ofan active faith community. It is Catholic because it witnesses to and probes the Christian message as proclaimed by the Catho– lic Church. The University welcomes and respects those whose lives are formed by different traditions, recognizing their im• portant contributions to our pluralistic society and to an atmosphere ofopen discussion essential to liberal educa– tion. As a community, the University is committed to col• legiality, shared decision-making and academic freedom. Education at the University is holistic, offering oppor– tunities for intellectual, physical, spiritual, emotional, so– cial and cultural development. Students are challenged to develop knowledge, values and skills to enrich their lives and to prepare them for careers which will provide ser– vice to their global, civic andfaith communities.

usdtoreros.com