CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Queens University of Charlotte’s Jeff Dugdale, director of swimming operations, will join the administrative staff as the associate athletic director for strategic planning and leadership development. Dugdale’s new position will help enhance the athletic department as he provides support to Cherie Swarthout, Queens director of athletics. He will retain his duties with the men’s and women’s swim teams as the head coach, while helping to raise the profile of Queens and Queens Athletics.
“Jeff has had a global impact on our department and institution during his tenure at Queens and we look forward to leveraging his skills in a more intentional and thoughtful manner,” said Swarthout. “While Jeff has led our swimming programs to national prominence, he has been an outstanding and passionate ambassador for Queens as a whole. Our goal is to continue to use the skills and experiences Jeff has to build stronger ties between the University and the Charlotte community.”
The Royals are coming off their best season in program history grabbing a top-10 spot in the final NCAA DII Learfield Directors’ Cup Standings. Queens had nine teams grab conference championship titles during the 2015-16 season, and saw 13 teams reach the NCAA Championships. Between swimming and track and field, 15 individual national titles were won, and the men’s and women’s swim teams repeated as NCAA DII Champions. Dugdale also oversaw the triathlon club team, which excelled in its first year of competition with the women winning the Women’s Collegiate Triathlon National Championship and taking second in the USA Triathlon Club Nationals.
Dugdale’s role will be to assist in working collaboratively and in partnership with Swarthout and James Bullock, Queens vice president for university advancement. He will work to create opportunities and experiences that would differentiate Queens as a premier institution of higher learning. Dugdale will also assist in identifying and facilitating high profile speakers for Queens as well as continuing the development of moral owners of the institution.
“I want to thank Cherie for this opportunity,” Dugdale stated. “Cherie is building out a very comprehensive strategic plan that clearly leads to excellence. I value her leadership and direction as we move towards excellence with clear expectations to make an impact both academically and athletically.”
Swimming news courtesy of Queens Swimming & Diving.