Dr. Charles Small Named Senior Associate AD for Sport Administration
August 26, 2024 | General, Washington Athletics Staff Central
SEATTLE, Wash. -- Dr. Charles Small has joined the University of Washington athletic department as Senior Associate Athletic Director for Sport Administration, Director of Athletics Pat Chun announced today.
Small comes to UW following two years as the Director of Athletics at Valparaiso University. During his tenure, Valpo teams recorded the school's first Missouri Valley Conference regular season and conference tournament championships in any sport.
"We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Small and his family to Montlake," said Chun. "Charles is a respected athletics administrator in our industry. He will bring to our UW Athletics team a background that includes being an athletics director, senior administrator at Power 4 institutions, and as a former student-athlete himself."
At Valparaiso, Small influenced key facilities projects, supported key strategic initiatives towards student-athlete and fan experiences, and hired a men's basketball coach as part of his program oversight of both the men's and women's basketball programs.
"I am grateful for the opportunity to join an incredible and storied academic and athletic institution at the University of Washington," said Small. "This is a critical time in college athletics and I am honored to partner with an exceptional group of administrators and coaches in support of our student-athletes."
Prior to his time at Valpo, Small spent four years at Iowa State University, where he served as sport administrator for men's basketball and wrestling while leading sports medicine, compliance, strength and conditioning, academic support services, and former student-athlete relations.
Further, Small led the department's diversity, equity, and inclusion strategic action plan and was appointed ISU's interim vice president for diversity, equity & inclusion in the fall of 2021.
Before ISU, Small worked at the University of Arkansas, where he ended a four-year stint as the associate athletic director for academic services while also leading as the campus' deputy Title IX coordinator.
Previously, Small worked at the University of New Orleans (2013–2014) as assistant athletic director for student-athlete enrichment. While at New Orleans, Small oversaw academic support and life skills and was sport administrator for men's and women's track & field.
Small started his career in intercollegiate athletics at his alma mater, the University of Pittsburgh. He worked for seven years in various roles, including academic counseling, life skills, student life, and compliance.
Small earned three degrees at Pittsburgh, including his Doctor of Education, a Master of Social Work, and a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work. He was also a four-year member of the men's basketball program, where he won a pair of Big East championships, advanced to four NCAA Tournaments, and made two Sweet Sixteen appearances.
Small is also a graduate of the prestigious NCAA Dr. Charles Whitcomb Leadership Institute.
Small and his wife, Celeste, have two sons, Dominic and Aiden.
About Washington Athletics
Washington athletic teams have claimed 56 team national championships across 11 different sports, beginning with its first titles in 1923 in men's rowing and women's rifle, and counting its most recent national championship, also in men's rowing (2024). Traditions of Washington Athletics include 320 Olympians and Paralympians, originating The Wave during the third quarter of a 1981 football game, the familiar Huskies nickname in 1922, and its iconic Sailgating activities and encompassing view at what is known as The Greatest Setting in college football.
Small comes to UW following two years as the Director of Athletics at Valparaiso University. During his tenure, Valpo teams recorded the school's first Missouri Valley Conference regular season and conference tournament championships in any sport.
"We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Small and his family to Montlake," said Chun. "Charles is a respected athletics administrator in our industry. He will bring to our UW Athletics team a background that includes being an athletics director, senior administrator at Power 4 institutions, and as a former student-athlete himself."
At Valparaiso, Small influenced key facilities projects, supported key strategic initiatives towards student-athlete and fan experiences, and hired a men's basketball coach as part of his program oversight of both the men's and women's basketball programs.
"I am grateful for the opportunity to join an incredible and storied academic and athletic institution at the University of Washington," said Small. "This is a critical time in college athletics and I am honored to partner with an exceptional group of administrators and coaches in support of our student-athletes."
Prior to his time at Valpo, Small spent four years at Iowa State University, where he served as sport administrator for men's basketball and wrestling while leading sports medicine, compliance, strength and conditioning, academic support services, and former student-athlete relations.
Further, Small led the department's diversity, equity, and inclusion strategic action plan and was appointed ISU's interim vice president for diversity, equity & inclusion in the fall of 2021.
Before ISU, Small worked at the University of Arkansas, where he ended a four-year stint as the associate athletic director for academic services while also leading as the campus' deputy Title IX coordinator.
Previously, Small worked at the University of New Orleans (2013–2014) as assistant athletic director for student-athlete enrichment. While at New Orleans, Small oversaw academic support and life skills and was sport administrator for men's and women's track & field.
Small started his career in intercollegiate athletics at his alma mater, the University of Pittsburgh. He worked for seven years in various roles, including academic counseling, life skills, student life, and compliance.
Small earned three degrees at Pittsburgh, including his Doctor of Education, a Master of Social Work, and a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work. He was also a four-year member of the men's basketball program, where he won a pair of Big East championships, advanced to four NCAA Tournaments, and made two Sweet Sixteen appearances.
Small is also a graduate of the prestigious NCAA Dr. Charles Whitcomb Leadership Institute.
Small and his wife, Celeste, have two sons, Dominic and Aiden.
About Washington Athletics
Washington athletic teams have claimed 56 team national championships across 11 different sports, beginning with its first titles in 1923 in men's rowing and women's rifle, and counting its most recent national championship, also in men's rowing (2024). Traditions of Washington Athletics include 320 Olympians and Paralympians, originating The Wave during the third quarter of a 1981 football game, the familiar Huskies nickname in 1922, and its iconic Sailgating activities and encompassing view at what is known as The Greatest Setting in college football.
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