Jeff Schulman '89, a member of the University of Vermont athletic department's central administration for more than two decades and a former Catamount student-athlete, has been named the University's next Director of Athletics. University President Tom Sullivan made the announcement on Wednesday afternoon at Patrick Gym.

"It is with great enthusiasm that we welcome Jeff to the University of Vermont's leadership team as our new Athletic Director," said Sullivan. "UVM Athletics is a great source of pride for all of us, especially for our academic values and the way we strike the right balance between academic success and competition. I am pleased that an experienced member of the UVM family is filling this key position. And he has earned it, after emerging from a thorough, comprehensive national search as the leading finalist."
 
"UVM Athletics has been an immensely important part of my life since the day I arrived on campus as a first-year student-athlete in 1985," said Schulman. "I'm deeply appreciative of the trust that President Sullivan and the Search Advisory Committee have shown in selecting me to lead a department that means so much to me personally, and that plays such a significant role in the lives of UVM students, alumni, the people of Vermont and the fabric of our great university."
 
Schulman is currently in his 12th year as the senior associate athletic director at the University of Vermont. He served as assistant director of athletics from 1993-2002 before being promoted to the senior associate role.

In his current role, Schulman has primary responsibility for the department's financial operations including budget development, management, and control as well as coordination and oversight of all capital projects. He also assists in the department's development efforts and is the sport supervisor for the field hockey and women's hockey programs.
 
During Schulman's tenure, UVM Athletics has seen a complete transformation of the Archie Post Athletic Complex with the construction of Moulton Winder Field (2005), the Frank H. Livak Track & Field Facility (2011) and Virtue Field (2012). Lights were recently installed at Virtue Field in 2015 for night competition, and construction will begin on Phase II of the Virtue Field project this summer to add permanent seating for 2,500 spectators, a press box and storage space.
 
"I look forward to working with my departmental and campus colleagues, as well as our loyal alumni and donors to serve and support our remarkable student-athletes who inspire us every day with their commitment and passion," Schulman added. "We'll work tirelessly to ensure that the department continues its strong tradition of integrity and academic excellence, while also positioning our student-athletes and teams to reach the highest level of competitive excellence."

Schulman, a 1989 Vermont graduate, was a four-year letter-winning defenseman on the Catamount men's hockey team. As a senior, he scored a goal and then assisted on one of the most famous Vermont hockey goals ever when the Catamounts defeated eventual national champion Harvard in the ECAC Semifinals at the Boston Garden. Following the season, Schulman was chosen by the Boston Bruins in the 1989 NHL supplemental draft.
 
After graduation, Schulman was selected for the prestigious Asa Bushnell Internship with the ECAC office in Centerville, Massachusetts on Cape Cod. During his one-year internship with the ECAC, he assisted in event management and publicity for the conference. Following the ECAC, Schulman was hired as an assistant athletic director at Bates College in Lewiston, Maine, from 1990-93 prior to starting his time at Vermont.
 
Schulman is the ninth director of athletics in the modern era of UVM Athletics and just the fourth since 1973. He succeeds Robert Corran, who will complete his 13th year of service in the position upon his official retirement on June 30 this summer. Rick Farnham '69 served as director of athletics for 11 years from 1992-2003, while Denis Lambert '54 held the position for 19 years from 1973-92.
 
"Jeff's strong commitment to honesty and integrity, his extensive experience in Division I athletics, and his love for our university make him the right choice to lead this unit for years to come," added Sullivan. "Going forward, the athletic director will report directly to me, emphasizing the importance of this position to our future success. This is a very happy day for UVM. I also wish to express my sincere gratitude to Bob Corran for his tireless and effective work on behalf of the university for 13 years, leading UVM Athletics to the strong position it enjoys today."
 
"I want to specifically thank and recognize Bob Corran for his personal mentorship and for his outstanding leadership during the past 13 years," said Schulman. "Bob has moved UVM Athletics forward in critical ways, provided a strong foundation on which to build, and set the stage for an exciting new phase in our evolution."
 
Schulman has also made a significant impact at the international level. At the 2013 Maccabiah Games in Israel, Schulman was invited to serve as an international consultant to the local organizing committee. He has also served as the overall manager of the U.S. delegation at four Pan American Maccabi Games: 2015 in Santiago, Chile; 2011 in Sao Paulo, Brazil; 2007 in Buenos Aires, Argentina; and 2003 in Santiago. 
 
Schulman is an active advocate in the local community, serving as a member of the Burlington Airport Commission and on the Board of Directors of the Burlington Business Association.
 
A native of Buffalo, New York, Schulman lives in Burlington with his wife, Deb Lichtenfeld '95, and their three children, Theodore, 13; Gabriella, 10; and Mara, 7.