Lynn Tubman was named the first permanent female director of athletics in Muhlenberg College history in 2018.
Tubman came to Muhlenberg after nine years as the director of athletics and recreation at Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia, where she was responsible for the overall management of an 18-sport NCAA Division II intercollegiate athletics and recreation program.
"From the moment I stepped on campus I experienced the culture that makes Muhlenberg so special," she said. "I am excited to become a part of Muhlenberg's supportive community, one that is committed to working together to provide all students with an exceptional, well-rounded collegiate experience. In addition, I am eager to begin working with the athletics department staff, coaches and student-athletes on continuing the program's proud tradition of academic and athletic excellence."
Tubman took the reins at Chestnut Hill at a pivotal time in the program's history and transformed the Griffins into highly competitive members of the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) and East Coast Conference (ECC). During her tenure, Chestnut Hill hosted numerous CACC Championships and expanded its intercollegiate sports offerings with the addition of men's and women's indoor and outdoor track, expanded roster baseball, women's bowling and sprint football.
In addition to her direct responsibilities, Tubman implemented initiatives focused on strengthening the department and student-athlete experience, including all phases of a $2.5 million Fitness Center expansion, the creation of the Hill Athletic Club for athletic donors and sponsors and the establishment of an Athletic Hall of Fame. The acquisition of an NCAA DII Strategic Alliance Matching Grant allowed the College to hire an assistant director of athletics for student-athlete success and community engagement, which led to Chestnut Hill receiving the NCAA Community Engagement Award.
Under Tubman, the College was recognized with back-to-back NCAA DII Presidents Awards for Academic Excellence.
The appointment at Muhlenberg is a return to the Lehigh Valley for Tubman, who earned her bachelor's degree from DeSales University in 1987 and her master's from Lehigh University in 1989. While at DeSales (then Allentown College), she was a three-time basketball All-American and still stands as the school's all-time leading scorer with 2,193 points.
Tubman's first position in collegiate athletics was assistant athletic director at Penn State Mont Alto. From 1990 to 1996, she was director of athletics at La Roche College, where she helped the athletic programs transition from NAIA to NCAA Division III. She also served as head women's basketball coach for two seasons.
In 1996, Tubman was hired at Drexel University as the institution's associate athletic director and senior woman administrator. After leaving higher education in 1999 to focus on raising her two daughters, Tubman returned to college athletics in 2004 and spent the next five years as associate athletic director and senior woman administrator at Philadelphia University.
Tubman currently resides in East Norriton, Pennsylvania, with her husband, John, and their two daughters; Hannah and Lily.
