It is with great appreciation and gratitude that Walsh University announces the retirement of Vice President of Athletics and Athletic Director Dale Howard.
"Dale Howard is a legend," said Walsh University President Tim Collins. "His impact on our students and our institution spanned more than three decades. As Dean of Students and our Vice President for Athletics, his charity and sense of the common good will be greatly missed. We wish him all the best as he begins a new chapter of an incredibly accomplished life’s story."
Howard started his career at Walsh in 1989 and has become one of the University’s longest serving leaders. He has been the driving force behind the approval and implementation of the football program, men’s and women’s lacrosse, and men’s and women’s bowling. Among his many accomplishments, Howard led Walsh’s transition from the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) to NCAA Division II full membership in 2012. Prior to his appointment to the athletics department, Howard served as the Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students.
Howard will continue to serve Walsh University as a special assistant to the President, a new temporary on-call position that will allow the University to leverage institutional knowledge and expertise, as needed.
Walsh University President Tim Collins has appointed Jason Fautas as Interim Vice President of Athletics/Athletic Director, serving for an expected period of 18 months. Fautas became Senior Associate Director of Athletics at Walsh in July 2020 after serving as the Assistant Director of Athletics-Director of Compliance since July 2014. In addition, Fautas supervises athletic grounds, game operations, sports information, sports medicine and strength and conditioning at Walsh. He previously served as the Cavaliers’ head coach for men’s lacrosse for two years (2013-2014). Prior to Walsh, Fautas spent a combined five years as an assistant coach for men’s lacrosse at Lafayette College and Hartwick College. A native of Holtsville, New York, Fautas earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in management from Hartwick College in 2007 and proceeded to earn his master’s degree in sports leadership at Northeastern University in 2009.
The appointment is effective January 8, 2022, and the search for a permanent Vice President of Athletics/Athletic Director will begin in the fall of 2022.
