The Mount Ida College athletic department is pleased to announce the promotion of Associate Athletic Director Matthew Burke to Interim Athletic Director. Burke, who has been in his current position for the past eight years, replaces Dr. Jacqueline Palmer who has held the reins of Mustang athletics for 22 seasons.
“I’m very excited to have the opportunity to lead the Mount Ida College athletic department,” said Burke. “I am dedicated to providing our student-athlete’s with the best possible experience during their years as a Mustang and will work closely with our staff and coaches to achieve this goal.”
Burke started as the Intramural Sports Director in 1998-1999 and later served as a counselor and Assistant Director in the admissions office from 1999-2002. Named Assistant Athletic Director in 2003, Burke’s main duties include overseeing home contest management, game scheduling, team transportation, meals, NCAA compliance and coordinating recruiting for the coaching staff. Burke was promoted to Associate Athletic Director in 2008.
Outside of his duties with the Mount Ida athletic department, Burke has served as the North Atlantic Conference (NAC) Sports Communications Coordinator in 2003-2004. He also serves as the Men’s Volleyball Tournament Chair for the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) since 2008.
Burke has been an adjunct faculty member since 2000, teaching such courses as Sport Finance, Sport Management Practicum, Introduction to College Leadership and numerous Physical Education classes.
Burke earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Sport Management from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst and received his master's in Business Administration from Nichols College. Burke was also named employee of the year in 2008 during staff appreciation day.
“This is an exciting time for the college as we change our leadership with our new president Dr. Jo Ann Rooney and with my appointment,” said Burke. “Mount Ida has always been a terrifc place to work, and I look forward to the bright future that is in store for both the College and Mustang athletics.”
Matt and his wife Jen have two children, Joseph and Megan, and reside in Plainville, Massachusetts.
*Courtesy Mt. Ida Athletic Communications