LANCASTER, Pa. - Franklin & Marshall President John Fry announced today the appointment of Patricia S.W. Epps as the college's new Director of Athletics and Recreation, effective August 10. Epps becomes the first woman in the College's history to hold this position.
She will replace Tim Downes, who has been at the College since 2004. Downes will become the Director of Athletics at Emory University (Atlanta, Ga.) in August. "Patty has earned this opportunity through the many accomplishments that have marked her years of dedicated service to Franklin & Marshall,” said College President John Fry. “She has also served with distinction on the Management Council of National Collegiate Athletics Association Division III, the body of athletic administrators that advises the President’s Council on a wide range of issues important to Division III athletics." Epps will be responsible for managing the College's athletics and recreation program, which includes 27 intercollegiate sports - 13 for men and 14 for women. The college also sponsors 11 club sports, an intramural program and other recreational and wellness activities. More than 600 students participate in intercollegiate athletics each year, with another 250 club sport athletes, and 1,000 intramural participants. Franklin & Marshall is a member of the NCAA Division III (25 sports) and also a member of the 11-school Centennial Conference. "I am deeply honored by this appointment," said Epps. "My roots at Franklin & Marshall run deep and I believe that this is one of the finest institutions in the nation. I believe that we are positioned to become a model institution in Division III. My focus has been and always been on the student-athletes - to provide them with opportunities to o grow individually, and to prepare for endeavors beyond their four years at the College." Epps will continue Downes' work of advancing the role of athletics and recreation at Franklin & Marshall. "Tim has exercised leadership in developing a master plan for athletic fields on the north campus, as well as a series of capital projects, including the Brooks Tennis Center, a renovation of our squash facility, and the new synthetic turf field now under construction on the North campus," said Fry. "Most importantly, Tim, has hired and developed a coaching staff that exemplifies the best values of Division III athletics. Tim's partner in all this work has been Patty Epps, and we believe strongly that she is the best person to keep our athletic and recreational programs moving in this positive direction." Epps has served in several capacities within the Athletics Department since 1978, and was appointed Senior Associate Director of Athletics in 2004.
Epps has led the tennis team to 11 conference championships in the last 17 years. The Diplomats have also had 15 individual and seven teams selected to compete in the NCAA Division III championships. Two of Epps' tennis teams made final four appearances.
Epps has been an active member of the U.S. Professional Tennis Association and has served as chair of NCAA Division III Tennis. She is on the ITA Board of Directors, and she has also served as chair of the South Atlantic Region NCAA Advisory and ITA Ranking Committee. Epps has been honored three times as USPTA Middle States "Coach of the Year," won the ITA East Region "Coach of the Year" twice and the 1990 "Norman Bromall Service Award."
In 2006, Epps was honored by the Lancaster Tennis Patrons Association with the Dick Green Award for her community service work with the Lancaster Tennis ACES program.
Epps also served as the College's women's squash coach for 22 years. She was the president of the Intercollegiate Women's Squash Association for six years and was the first recipient of the College Squash Association's Lifetime Achievement Award. Her 1989 squash team was ranked as high as No. 2 in the nation.
A native of Lancaster, Epps was an active participant in athletics at J.P. McCaskey High School in Lancaster, from which she graduated as No. 1 in her class and received the Senior Outstanding Athlete Award. She went on to attend Cornell University, where she earned a B.A. in history. She also attended West Chester University for a teaching certification and graduate studies in health, physical education and coaching. Epps and her husband Ron live in Lititz, and are the parents of a son, Ned.
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