Jeffrey L. Dean has shouldered many responsibilities since joining the Rutgers University-Camden athletic department in 1993.
His hard work and dedication over the past decade hasn't gone unnoticed. In April, 2003, the university named the 37-year old Haddon Heights resident to be its Director of Athletics and Recreational Services. Dean had been serving as the interim athletic director at Rutgers-Camden since former AD Edward Cialella retired December 31, 2002.
Dean becomes the fifth athletic director at Rutgers-Camden, following in the footsteps of Al Carino, Neil Haldeman, Pony Wilson and Cialella.
"I'm excited to work with him," said Rutgers-Camden Provost Roger J. Dennis. "He's knowledgeable about the program, he's committed to our students and he understands we're trying for both academic and athletic excellence. He's done an excellent job as acting director."
Dean heads an athletic department featuring 12 intercollegiate varsity programs, as well as a variety of club and recreational services. Under his watch as the interim AD, Rutgers-Camden captured the first New Jersey Athletic Conference title in its history over the winter of 2002-03 when the women's basketball team won the NJAC tournament and advanced to the NCAA Championships.
"I'd like to continue to build and develop successful programs across the board," said Dean, a native of Charlottesville, VA, who was hired as the Rutgers-Camden baseball coach in 1993. "We are really excited about the possibilities that lie ahead at Rutgers-Camden. We are already beginning to see these possibilities become a reality.
"We are receiving tremendous support from our administration and this has definitely made a difference in our programs.
"I sincerely admire our student-athletes who are committed to both academic and athletic success. It's really rewarding to be a part of their lives as they grow into successful adults."
Dean was a four-year letterman at Bridgewater College in Virginia, earning First Team All-Old Dominion Athletic Conference honors as a pitcher in 1986. He received his B.S. in Health and Physical Education from Bridgewater in 1987, and served as an assistant baseball coach for two seasons at Bridgewater before moving to Salisbury State in 1989.
He served as an assistant baseball coach at Salisbury State from 1989-1993, and received his Master of Education degree in Educational Administration from that school in 1991.
Dean joined the Rutgers-Camden coaching staff in September 1993 when he was named the head baseball coach, succeeding Jack Hopkins. He served as the baseball coach from 1994-98, compiling a 59-101-3 record, including back-to-back 15 win seasons in 1995 and 1996, the most victories at the school since 1988. His 15-15 season in 1996 was the best baseball record at Rutgers-Camden since the 1988 team went 18-16.
Dean added another responsibility in 1995 when he accepted a 10-month assignment as coordinator of intramurals and recreational services, taking over program development and implementation. With the program's expansion and facility development, he accepted an administrative promotion to a full-time, 12-month Coordinator of Intramurals and Recreational Services in June 1998. At that time he stepped down as the baseball coach to devote his full attention to developing the intramural and recreation programs.
He was promoted to Assistant Director of Recreational Services in 1999. In addition to running the recreational and intramural programs at Rutgers-Camden, Dean's responsibilities included scheduling and maintenance of the Scarlet Raptors' athletic facilities and numerous other aspects with the Scarlet Raptors' rising Division III athletic program.
"It feels good," Dean said. "It's been something I've worked for my whole life. When I graduated college and began my career in collegiate athletics, I knew this was an opportunity I wanted to work for.
"It's comforting to know our administration has confidence in me. I've gradually assumed more responsibility here. It's nice to know that they have faith in me and appreciate the efforts I've made."
Dean and his wife Kate have two sons, Jack and Andrew
