By: John Jay Sports Information
Carol Kashow,
who has served as John Jay College's Director of Athletics, Recreation, & Intramurals since March 2013, will be retiring from the College effective January 5, 2020.
"Today, more than ever, colleges and universities nationwide are focusing more of their attention on student retention and graduation rates," Interim Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs
Ellen Hartigan said. "During Carol's successful tenure and thanks to her strong leadership, John Jay's Athletic Department has been guiding and supporting our student-athletes, emphasizing and prioritizing the student aspect of their collegiate experience."
During Kashow's tenure, John Jay student-athletes have consistently earned grade point averages and graduation rates greater than those of the general student population. In 2018-19, John Jay student-athletes posted an average cumulative GPA of 3.06 and more than 50% of student-athletes earned cumulative GPAs above 3.2.
Leading a staff of over 100 administrators, coaches, student employees and interns, Kashow has overseen all areas of a successful collegiate athletic program. The program fields 15 varsity sports comprising over 225 student-athletes, and a recreation/intramurals program that has prepared potential law enforcement officers with Job Standard Test (JST) training, as well as provided fitness and intramural opportunities for the general student body.
"I will miss Carol's daily presence at John Jay," stated
President Karol Mason. "I learned many things from her; most importantly how important our athletics program is to the lifeblood of the college. I also learned what leadership looks like from Carol. She showed up every day with unwavering support for our students and the entire athletics staff."
Under Kashow's leadership, John Jay won four CUNYAC Championships, five MAC Rifle Championships, and appeared in the ECAC Postseason Tournament 16 times. Most recently, both the men's and women's soccer programs captured their first CUNYAC championship in program history and made their inaugural appearance in the NCAA DIII tournament.
Kashow also oversaw several facility upgrades, including a drop curtain and bleacher installation in the Doghouse, a complete redesign of the Doghouse court, branding of athletics areas including the Alumni Skybox, varsity locker rooms, and the most recent multi-million dollar pool renovation. From a marketing standpoint, the department added live streaming, live stats, and enhanced graphics for social media during Kashow's tenure.
"I learned so much from Carol — It was an amazing experience to work with her as, month by month and year by year, she put the pieces in place to make John Jay athletics program what it is today," said former Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs Lynette Cook-Francis. "Every aspect of the program has her touch. As she moves on to a well-earned retirement, Carol has left an incredible legacy on which the Bloodhounds can continue to build."
She is a 1977 graduate of West Chester State College, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Health, Physical Education and Recreation. Kashow was inducted into the College's Hall of Fame in 2002 and was also inducted into the Philadelphia Softball Hall of Fame in 1998, and received the Philadelphia Board of Officials for Women Sport Service Award in 2006.
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Stay tuned for an official announcement tomorrow on who will replace Kashow as the next John Jay Athletics Director.
