University of Delaware Athletics
Jordan Skolnick Named Director of Athletics and Campus Recreation
1/30/2026 10:00:00 AM | Baseball, Field Hockey, Football, Men's Basketball, Men's Golf, Men's Lacrosse, Men's Soccer, Men's Swimming & Diving, Men's Tennis, Softball, Women's Basketball, Women's Cross Country, Women's Golf, Women's Soccer, Women's Swimming & Diving, Women's Tennis, Volleyball, Women's Lacrosse, Rowing, Delaware Athletics, Track & Field, Ice Hockey
NEWARK, Del. – Jordan Skolnick has been named the University of Delaware's Director of Athletics and Campus Recreation, President Laura Carlson announced today. Skolnick joined UD Athletics in 2016 and has served as interim director of athletics and campus recreation since March.
"UD's athletics and recreation programs are a foundational component of our educational mission," Carlson said. "Through sports, we learn the value of mastering skills, building self-esteem, setting goals, collaborating as a team, persisting through adversity and so much more – all of which form the basis of lifelong lessons. These are skills that foster excellence not only in competition but also in the classroom and beyond. Jordan shares my commitment to this transformative power of sports, and I look forward to our work on behalf of all Blue Hens."
An announcement event open to the public is planned for 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb., 7, in the Whitney Athletic Center before the men's basketball game. The event will include an introductory press conference with Carlson and Skolnick, with the opportunity for media members to ask questions. The press conference will be streamed live on the department's YouTube channel.
Members of the media looking to attend the press conference should RSVP here, while members of the public can RSVP here.
Skolnick becomes the eighth person in the department's history to hold the permanent role. Skolnick will be responsible for leading the Fightin' Blue Hens' 22 varsity teams, spirit programs and robust campus recreation unit.
"I am tremendously grateful to President Carlson and the Board of Trustees for their trust and belief in me to lead Delaware Athletics and Campus Recreation," Skolnick said. "Over the last 10 months serving as interim AD, my enthusiasm and optimism for our future success have only grown stronger because of the incredible people we have here at UD."
A native of Storrs, Conn., Skolnick successfully guided the department through its transitions to Conference USA and the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), while prioritizing a renewed focus on campus collaboration to increase partnerships and ensure the University's ability to capitalize on increased national exposure.
"I am deeply committed to our student-athletes' success in the classroom, having a world-class experience that prepares them for life after graduation, and winning championships," Skolnick said. "The best is yet to come, and I could not be more excited to continue as a Fightin' Blue Hen!"
Blue Hen student-athletes have thrived in the classroom. UD student-athletes finished the fall 2025 semester with an average 3.3 GPA, the 24th-consecutive semester with a 3.0 GPA or better. This fall also marked the inaugural semester of the new sports performance and analytics major, a collaboration between the Department of Athletics and the University's College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
The football program also had success in its first season competing as a member of Conference USA and at the FBS level. Finishing 7-6 overall and winning the 68 Ventures Bowl, Delaware became just the second program ever to win a bowl game in its inaugural FBS season.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT JORDAN SKOLNICK:
"Jordan is a master relationship-builder who has prepared for this appointment throughout his career. I've had the pleasure of working alongside him to grow our football program into an FBS competitor in year one — a feat that would not have been possible without his instrumental guidance and support. He's extremely proficient in all the aspects of the athletic director role. UD kept a great one."
Skolnick joined UD in 2016 as senior associate athletic director for development. He most recently served as the senior deputy athletic director for external relations and revenue generation. He has served on the department's executive leadership team during the entirety of his time at UD. In November 2024, he was promoted to senior deputy athletic director, taking on all sport administration in addition to revenue generation responsibilities. He has been the sport administrator for UD football since 2023 and crafted the football schedule through 2029, after the program's announced move to FBS. He has also spent time as the sport administrator for men's lacrosse, women's soccer, softball, and spirit.
Skolnick also has established procedures for the department's approach to handling the House v. NCAA settlement, revenue sharing, and roster management with the development of a robust front-office operation, including the hiring of general managers for football, men's basketball, and women's basketball.
Skolnick earned his bachelor's degree at Brandeis University, where he played four years of soccer and served as the president of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee. He earned his master's degree in sport administration from the University of North Carolina. Prior to coming to UD, Skolnick worked in athletics fundraising at University of Michigan. He began his career as a development and community outreach intern at Yale University before moving to University of North Carolina where he was a graduate student intern with The Rams Club.
He and his wife, Christine, live in Wilmington with their daughters, Zoe and Mae.
UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS HISTORY:
Jordan Skolnick (2025-Pres.)
Chrissi Rawak (2016-2025)
Matt Robinson (Interim) (2016)
Eric Ziady (2012-2015)
Samantha K. Huge (Interim) (2012)
Bernard M. Muir (2009-2012)
Edgar N. Johnson (1984-2009)
David M. Nelson (1951-84)
William D. Murray (1941-51)
Gerald P. Doherty, Jr. (1926-41)
"UD's athletics and recreation programs are a foundational component of our educational mission," Carlson said. "Through sports, we learn the value of mastering skills, building self-esteem, setting goals, collaborating as a team, persisting through adversity and so much more – all of which form the basis of lifelong lessons. These are skills that foster excellence not only in competition but also in the classroom and beyond. Jordan shares my commitment to this transformative power of sports, and I look forward to our work on behalf of all Blue Hens."
An announcement event open to the public is planned for 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb., 7, in the Whitney Athletic Center before the men's basketball game. The event will include an introductory press conference with Carlson and Skolnick, with the opportunity for media members to ask questions. The press conference will be streamed live on the department's YouTube channel.
Members of the media looking to attend the press conference should RSVP here, while members of the public can RSVP here.
Skolnick becomes the eighth person in the department's history to hold the permanent role. Skolnick will be responsible for leading the Fightin' Blue Hens' 22 varsity teams, spirit programs and robust campus recreation unit.
"I am tremendously grateful to President Carlson and the Board of Trustees for their trust and belief in me to lead Delaware Athletics and Campus Recreation," Skolnick said. "Over the last 10 months serving as interim AD, my enthusiasm and optimism for our future success have only grown stronger because of the incredible people we have here at UD."
A native of Storrs, Conn., Skolnick successfully guided the department through its transitions to Conference USA and the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), while prioritizing a renewed focus on campus collaboration to increase partnerships and ensure the University's ability to capitalize on increased national exposure.
"I am deeply committed to our student-athletes' success in the classroom, having a world-class experience that prepares them for life after graduation, and winning championships," Skolnick said. "The best is yet to come, and I could not be more excited to continue as a Fightin' Blue Hen!"
Blue Hen student-athletes have thrived in the classroom. UD student-athletes finished the fall 2025 semester with an average 3.3 GPA, the 24th-consecutive semester with a 3.0 GPA or better. This fall also marked the inaugural semester of the new sports performance and analytics major, a collaboration between the Department of Athletics and the University's College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
The football program also had success in its first season competing as a member of Conference USA and at the FBS level. Finishing 7-6 overall and winning the 68 Ventures Bowl, Delaware became just the second program ever to win a bowl game in its inaugural FBS season.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT JORDAN SKOLNICK:
"Jordan is a master relationship-builder who has prepared for this appointment throughout his career. I've had the pleasure of working alongside him to grow our football program into an FBS competitor in year one — a feat that would not have been possible without his instrumental guidance and support. He's extremely proficient in all the aspects of the athletic director role. UD kept a great one."
- Ryan Carty '06, University of Delaware Head Football Coach
- Jen Steele, University of Delaware Head Softball Coach
"Jordan has made a profound impact on me. He's taken the time to listen, offer guidance, and encourage me through challenges – both in athletics and in life. His belief in an exceptional student-athlete experience has continued to push us beyond limits and step up as leaders not only in competition, but within the university community. Jordan will continue to take UD athletics to new heights and I am confident and proUD that he will be leading the Figthin' Blue Hens."
- McKenzie Didio '26, University of Delaware Student-Athlete Advisory Committee President and student-athlete on the women's lacrosse team
- Judy MacLeod, Conference USA Commissioner
- Rich Gannon '87, University of Delaware Football Alum, CBS Sports Commentator, and NFL MVP
- Mike Brey, Former University of Delaware and University of Notre Dame Head Men's Basketball Coach
"Jordan is a tremendous hire for Delaware. He is a proven leader, innovative thinker, and strong relationship builder. More importantly, Jordan puts student-athletes at the center of everything he does. I have no doubt that he will lead Delaware Athletics to new levels of success!"
- Grant Leiendecker, Vice President and Director of Athletics, Butler University
Skolnick joined UD in 2016 as senior associate athletic director for development. He most recently served as the senior deputy athletic director for external relations and revenue generation. He has served on the department's executive leadership team during the entirety of his time at UD. In November 2024, he was promoted to senior deputy athletic director, taking on all sport administration in addition to revenue generation responsibilities. He has been the sport administrator for UD football since 2023 and crafted the football schedule through 2029, after the program's announced move to FBS. He has also spent time as the sport administrator for men's lacrosse, women's soccer, softball, and spirit.
Skolnick also has established procedures for the department's approach to handling the House v. NCAA settlement, revenue sharing, and roster management with the development of a robust front-office operation, including the hiring of general managers for football, men's basketball, and women's basketball.
Skolnick earned his bachelor's degree at Brandeis University, where he played four years of soccer and served as the president of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee. He earned his master's degree in sport administration from the University of North Carolina. Prior to coming to UD, Skolnick worked in athletics fundraising at University of Michigan. He began his career as a development and community outreach intern at Yale University before moving to University of North Carolina where he was a graduate student intern with The Rams Club.
He and his wife, Christine, live in Wilmington with their daughters, Zoe and Mae.
UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS HISTORY:
Jordan Skolnick (2025-Pres.)
Chrissi Rawak (2016-2025)
Matt Robinson (Interim) (2016)
Eric Ziady (2012-2015)
Samantha K. Huge (Interim) (2012)
Bernard M. Muir (2009-2012)
Edgar N. Johnson (1984-2009)
David M. Nelson (1951-84)
William D. Murray (1941-51)
Gerald P. Doherty, Jr. (1926-41)
Players Mentioned
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