Chris Morgan, a 1991 Elizabethtown College graduate and 2009 Ira R. Herr Athletic Hall of Fame inductee, begins his 10th year as the Director of Athletics in 2023-24.
Morgan returned to his alma mater on Aug. 1, 2015, following four years as the Director of Athletics and Recreation at NCAA Division III Kean University in Union, New Jersey. The former Blue Jay soccer standout also spent 12 years as the Director of Athletics at Division II Goldey-Beacom College in Wilmington, Delaware from 1999-2011. Morgan was inducted into the Goldey-Beacom College Hall of Fame in October 2023.
Blue Jay athletics has prospered in numerous ways with Morgan in charge. Entering the 2020-21 academic year, Elizabethtown had captured 19 Landmark Conference championships, won the 2016-17 Landmark Presidents' Trophy and finished 83rd nationally in the 2016-17 NCAA Division III Learfield Directors' Cup standings.
Three head coaching positions and an equal number of support staff positions have been elevated to full-time under Morgan's watch. The department expanded its varsity sports offerings for the first time since 2002 with the additions of women's golf (2017-18) and men's volleyball (2019) and multiple athletic facilities received upgrades.
Morgan worked to improve the performance of Kean student-athletes academically, athletically and in the community between 2011-15. Thirteen Cougar teams made NCAA tournament appearances during his four years at the helm. Kean baseball twice reached the NCAA Championship Series and the softball program reached the NCAA DIII Championship in 2015, finishing fifth. Kean teams reached the quarterfinal round of their respective national tournaments on four other occasions.
At Goldey-Beacom, Morgan transitioned the department from the ranks of a four-team NAIA program into a 10-team NCAA Division II institution that competes in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference.
The Lightning captured seven CACC Championships and made 13 NCAA Regional Tournament appearances under Morgan's watch.
Morgan managed an athletics department that was ranked third in Division II for gender equity compliance in 2007 by the Women's Sport Foundation and was recognized by the NCAA for Overall Excellence in Diversity in 2008. He was also the head women's soccer coach at Goldey-Beacom from 1999-2003, guiding the team to four post-season appearances.,
"Chris brings a passion for advancing the tradition of excellence in Blue Jay Athletics," said former Dean of Students, Marianne Calenda, upon Morgan's hiring. "He's an exceptional leader with a proven record of ethical leadership, commitment to diversity and dedication to developing the whole student -- he's a great choice for Elizabethtown College."
"I am truly honored and excited to have the opportunity to work with an outstanding group of coaches and support staff to enhance the experiences of our student-athletes," said Morgan.
The Wilmington, Delaware native has served on numerous NCAA committees, including the women's soccer national committee from 2004-08 and the men's golf regional committee from 2003-05. Most recently, Morgan was appointed to the NCAA Division II Nomination Committee. In addition, he was also the vice-president of the CACC from 2004-06.
Morgan was a four-year letter winner and captain for Elizabethtown's men's soccer team. He was a member of the 1989 NCAA Division III National Championship squad and recognized as the Defensive Most Valuable Player of the Final Four. Morgan claimed All-America Second Team honors his senior year in 1990 and remains among the program's career leaders with 38 assists.
Morgan received his bachelor of science degree in business administration from Elizabethtown in 1991. He and his wife Melissa ('97) have twin daughters, Katherine and Madeline, and a son, Tyler.
Updated 6/12/2024
