Garrett McGowan will fill the big shoes of retiring Theresa Gunn
From Alfred University,
ALFRED, NY – Alfred University’s Professor of Chemistry, Garrett McGowan, will be stepping into the role of Faculty Athletics Representative beginning August 1, 2025, following the retirement of Associate Professor of Accountancy/Associate Dean of the College of Business Theresa Gunn.
Gunn earned her Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Alfred University in 1996 and then her MBA in 1998. She took on the role of Faculty Athletics Representative in 2017 and will retire from the university on August 15. “Theresa has been a fantastic partner in her role as our NCAA FAR,” Associate Vice President for Student Experience, Athletics & Recreation, Deb Steward said. “From developing our Faculty Athletic Liaison program and assisting in the certification of eligibility to serving on our ALFYS awards and athletic academic success committee, Theresa has supported our student-athletes in numerous ways. We are so grateful for her teamwork and wish her well.”
A Faculty Athletics Representative is a member of an institution’s faculty or administrative staff (outside of the department of athletics) who is designated by an institution’s chancellor, president or other appropriate entity to represent the institution and its faculty in the institution’s relationships with the NCAA and its conferences. At Alfred University, the FAR works collaboratively with the Associate Vice President for Student Experience, Athletics & Recreation to ensure that the university establishes and maintains the appropriate balance between academics and intercollegiate athletics.
In his role as the FAR, McGowan will represent Alfred University in NCAA and Empire 8 business, lead the Faculty Athletic Liaison program, serve on the AU Athletics academic success team, coordinate the nomination process for Empire 8 scholar-athlete awards, serve on the athletic awards selection committee, report out to faculty on student-athlete academic performance and other responsibilities related to the academic aspects of Saxon student-athletes.
“We look forward to working with Garrett in his new role,” Steward said. “He is a consistent fan in the stands and as our FAR, he will have another way in which he supports and mentors our Saxon student-athletes.”
McGowan has been a standout fan of Alfred University Athletics for years, being easily findable during home events with his signature purple and gold tie dye shirts. His passion and pride for the Saxons is so evident that he was named the 2023 Exceptional Saxon during the first ALFYS Awards Night. “I am honored to work more closely with the student-athletes at Alfred University,” McGowan said. “The discipline and dedication these students possess for balancing academics and athletics is admirable.”
