Andrew Wu Named Director Of Athletics At Goucher College

TOWSON, Md. – Goucher College President José Antonio Bowen and Vice President and Dean of Students Bryan Coker have removed the interim tag and have appointed Dr. Andrew Wu the Associate Dean of Students and Director of Athletics, effective immediately.

The role of a collegiate athletics director has changed in recent years, and continues to evolve, with a greater focus on relationships external to the Athletics Department, as well as on fundraising and compliance matters. At Goucher specifically, the focus on Athletics as an immense learning and growth opportunity for student-athletes, constituting a vital part of their overall educational experiences. Wu's retention of the Associate Dean of Students title reflects the evolving nature of the Director of Athletics role, as well as recognizes his continuing role as a leader in the Division of Student Affairs. 

In a joint statement Bowen and Coker said, "It was clear that Andrew offers the comprehensive, steady, and stable leadership the department needs and desires at this time. We are immensely excited about what Andrew's appointment represents, as a new and evolving approach to the AD role."

Wu has served as the Interim Director of Athletics since the fall of 2018 and was a Co-Interim Director of Athletics with Sally Baum last spring, following the retirement of longtime Director of Athletics Geoff Miller. While serving as Interim Director of Athletics Wu implemented changes, including the creation of the Associate Director of Athletics position focused on departmental operations, and coordinated a number of head coaching searches. 

"I'm honored that President Bowen, Dean Coker, and the Goucher community are fully entrusting me with leadership for Goucher College Athletics," said Wu. "Since my arrival as Co-Interim AD in the spring, I have only been encouraged and energized by the passion, determination, and abilities of our student-athletes and staff. I hope that my efforts will see Gopher Athletics become a greater example for academic and social achievement while garnering a fierce competitive reputation in Maryland and the Mid-Atlantic region." 

Wu arrived at Goucher as the Assistant Dean for Students in 2013 and was later promoted to Associate Dean of Students before assuming the Interim Director of Athletics role. As Assistant and then Associate Dean, Wu coordinated the student conduct process, dealt with countless student crises, heard Title IX cases, and provided leadership for areas including Student Counseling, Student Health, and Student Support and Outreach. He led the implementation of the Smoke-Free initiative, as well as the creation of the Case Management (now Student Support and Outreach) area. He was also instrumental in the recent establishment of the new Wellness unit in Student Affairs, providing students with new recreation opportunities, as well as a more holistic and integrated approach to overall student health.

Prior to Goucher, Wu worked in student affairs at Bennington College, where he established its first athletics and recreation department, focused on club sports and recreation programs. 

Before Bennington, he served as an Assistant Men's Soccer Coach at both Mount St. Mary's University and McDaniel College, for a combined total of five seasons. In his first season at the Mount, he helped the Emmitsburg program to the Northeast Conference Championship Game thanks to an upset of top seed Monmouth, earning the win in penalty kicks after a scoreless result. The Mount advanced to the postseason that year after finishing last the previous season. At his alma mater, Wu coached three student-athletes that went on to become college coaches.

Wu received his Bachelor's degree in Philosophy and a Master's in Sport Administration from McDaniel, an MBA from Mount St. Mary's, and his Doctor of Education degree from Northeastern University. 

Wu was a standout goalkeeper for the Green Terror, earning All-Centennial Conference and All-Region selections and still holds several program records as a netminder.

Wu also becomes one of very few Asian American identifying ADs in NCAA Division III, as the 2017 College Sport Racial and Gender Report Card noted that less than one percent of such positions in Division III were held by Asian/Pacific Islanders.