Jordan Skolnick - Sport Administrator - Football Support Staff

Jordan Skolnick

Title:
Sport Administrator
Email:
jsko@udel.edu

Jordan Skolnick was named the eighth Director of Athletics & Campus Recreation on January 30, 2026 after spending 10 months in the interim role.

As Director of Athletics and Campus Recreation, Skolnick will be responsible for leading the Fightin’ Blue Hens’ 22 varsity teams, spirit programs and robust campus recreation unit. 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.

Blue Hen student-athletes have thrived in the classroom during Skolnick’s tenure. UD student-athletes finished the Fall 2025 semester with a 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 (CANR).

With Skolnick leading the department, the football program had tremendous 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, joining fellow Conference USA member Jacksonville State in 2023. Skolnick contributed significantly to the University’s decision to move to Conference USA and FBS football, which was originally announced in November 2023, as well as the process of identifying affiliate conferences for field hockey (Mountain Pacific Sports Federation), ice hockey (Atlantic Hockey America), women’s lacrosse and swimming & diving (Atlantic Sun Conference), rowing (Mid-American Conference), and men’s soccer (The Summit League). Skolnick 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.

In March 2025, Skolnick made his first head coaching hire in Tara Zollinger. In Zollinger’s inaugural season, the field hockey team claimed a conference title. He also played an integral role in the hiring of several other head coaches, including head football coach Ryan Carty, and the contract extensions of Carty and women’s lacrosse head coach Amy Altig.

Skolnick originally joined the University of Delaware in July 2016 as the 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 successfully 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.

After arriving in Newark, Skolnick and his team launched the Delaware First campaign for athletics, which included fundraising $39 million in under two years. The effort culminated in the construction of the Whitney Athletic Center and the renovation of Delaware Stadium.

With the Blue Hens, Skolnick led all revenue generation and external relations for the department, including fundraising, communications, corporate sponsorships, licensing, marketing and engagement, social media, sports and entertainment sales, ticket sales, and video. His work as the chief revenue officer resulted in a 60% increase in self-generated revenue since 2016, including more than $1 million more in annual football ticket revenue due to increased attendance and the addition of premium seats. He also led the department’s negotiations in contract negotiations with adidas, Learfield, Paciolan, Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC), and SIDEARM.

Outside of Delaware, Skolnick served on the NCAA men’s lacrosse selection committee from 2021-23.

Prior to coming to Newark, Skolnick spent the previous decade in the athletics fundraising field at three of the nation’s most prestigious institutions, serving stints at Yale, North Carolina, and Michigan. He began his career as a development and community outreach intern at Yale (2007-09) before moving on to UNC where he was a graduate student intern with The Rams Club for one year in 2010-11.

He spent five years at Michigan, and accrued three promotions, where he was responsible for oversight of all fundraising efforts for Michigan Athletics, including annual giving, major and principal gifts. He led a team of nine employees focused on a $355 million campaign for Michigan Athletics, the first comprehensive athletics fundraising campaign in Ann Arbor.

Skolnick studied at Brandeis University, where he played four years of soccer and served as the president of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). He graduated in 2007 with a degree in American studies.. He earned his master’s degree in sport administration from the University of North Carolina in 2011.

He and his wife, Christine, are proud parents to daughters Zoe and Mae, and reside in Wilmington.

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 of the aspects of the athletic director role. UD kept a great one.”

Ryan Carty ‘06, University of Delaware Head Football Coach

“Jordan brings a rare combination of big-picture vision and solution-driven execution. I’ve had the privilege of working with him for several years and trust his leadership completely. He is thoughtful, strategic, and deeply committed to the success of our student-athletes, our department, and the university. His leadership and fundraising efforts were key in helping position us for a successful transition to the FBS level, and I’m excited about what’s ahead under his direction.”

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

“Jordan has been an outstanding leader to work alongside since Delaware joined Conference USA. His vision and thoughtful approach have been a great addition to our AD group. We look forward to him building on the momentum and couldn’t be more excited for Jordan and the Blue Hens!”

Judy MacLeod, Conference USA Commissioner

“Delaware is fortunate to have someone like Jordan Skolnick leading our student-athletes. His experience, enthusiasm, professionalism, and attention to detail are critically important, and so is the fact that he is a man of great character and integrity. I am excited for the future of Delaware Athletics under Jordan’s leadership.”

Rich Gannon ‘87, University of Delaware Football Alum, CBS Sports Commentator, and NFL MVP

“Jordan is the absolute right person at a key time for Delaware Athletics. Jordan has been instrumental to the growth of Delaware Athletics and has the experience and creativity to help navigate the changing landscape of college athletics.”

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!”