Kim Chandler was hired as Whitman's Director of Athletics/Chair of Sports Studies, Recreation and Athletics (SSRA) in May 2019 and is entering her fifth year at the helm. The 2022-2023 season saw many accomplishments under her guidance. There were umerous conference championships, coach of the year and player of the year awards along with NCAA appearances for women’s basketball and women’s tennis. In addition, she collaborated with the College on the development of the department's first DEIA Task Force to ensure commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism. Other accomplishments during that season included the enhancement of the Whitman Athletics branding and the Blues refueling station to enhance every student-athlete's performance.
The 2023-2024 year saw the opening of two major facility projects for the department – a new FieldTurf field for soccer and lacrosse and a baseball clubhouse at Borleske Stadium. Both facilities enhance the student-athlete experience and also serve the greater campus community.
Chandler, whose distinguished career spans more than 30 years, worked most recently in the office of the CEO for North Star Resource Group, a financial services firm. Prior to that, she spent 10 years as the athletic director for Macalester College in Minnesota. She also served as athletic director for Beloit College in Wisconsin, assistant athletic director for Saginaw Valley State University in Michigan and as a basketball coach at Ohio Northern University and California State University, Northridge, among other top ranked programs.
“I am very excited that Kim Chandler will be joining Whitman,” Tipton said. “Kim brings a tremendous amount of experience to this position. Her vision for Division III athletics is perfectly in line with Whitman’s mission and goals for the future. We are very fortunate to have such a skilled, wise and compassionate leader joining us.”
In addition to providing strategic direction to the department, Chandler’s responsibilities include the oversight of Whitman’s 17 varsity and 16 club sports teams, as well as 300 scholar-athletes, 40 full- and part-time staff members, and eight athletic facilities, while managing an annual budget of approximately $1.7 million. She also works closely with the Admission Office and W Club to further college priorities and foster principles that encourage integrity, student well-being, diversity and inclusiveness throughout all levels of the organization.
Chandler has a proven track record of success. During her tenure at Macalester, the football team made the NCAA playoffs for the first time in school history. A long-time member of the National Association of Division III Athletic Administrators board of directors, Chandler has served at various times as president, vice president and treasurer. In 2009, she received the Women Leaders in College Sports Administrator of the Year Award for Division III.
“I am honored to work with Whitman’s bright, talented and passionate scholar-athletes, coaches, staff, faculty and alumni,” Chandler said. “Whitman College is an elite academic institution with a prestigious and proud athletic tradition, and I look forward to continuing to build on this strong foundation.”
