General | 2/25/2016 4:22:00 PM

ROCHESTER, NY – Lou Spiotti Jr., Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics at RIT, is proud to announce the appointment of Lauren Packer Webster as Associate Director of Athletics at the university. Packer Webster will begin at RIT on March 21.
 
Packer Webster arrives at RIT with a wealth of experience in virtually all aspects of athletics administration in Division I, II, and III. She spent the last eight seasons at Mercyhurst University in a variety or roles. From 2008-11, Packer Webster served as the director of athletics communications, before ascending to assistant athletics director in 2011 and associate athletics director in 2014. She was also Mercyhurst's senior woman administrator for the last five seasons.
 
"Lauren has a great reputation both regionally and nationally," said Spiotti Jr. "She will bring new insights, experience and leadership to our program, as her strong network and organizational skills will be invaluable as we challenge on a national level."
 
Most recently at Mercyhurst, Packer Webster assisted in all aspects of overseeing a multi-divisional program: Twenty-two Division II sports and administration of the Division I men's and women's ice hockey programs. She served as Mercyhurst's compliance director, as well as authorization and maintenance of department budgets, NCAA postseason coordination, preparation of required federal, NCAA and institutional reporting and student enrollment management/retention. Mercyhurst recorded its highest finish in the Learfield Sports Director's Cup (15th) during the 2014-15 season.
 
"This is a tremendous opportunity," said Packer Webster.  "There's a significant commitment to the overall growth of students, and that is evident by the success RIT student-athletes have had in the classroom and in competition.  I'm dedicated to the student-athlete experience and look forward to enhancing the overall operations of intercollegiate athletics at RIT."
 
Packer Webster was the main media liaison at Mercyhurst for the 2011 NCAA Women's Hockey Frozen Four and 2012-14 Division II Women's Basketball Elite Eight.
 
In addition to her wide variety of duties at Mercyhurst, Packer Webster served on the NCAA Division II Wrestling Committee, Collegiate Water Polo Association Governing Council, was a NCAA Division II Women's Basketball National Championship Media Coordinator, ECAC-SIDA New Media Coordinator, and was part of the Mercyhurst University Strategic Plan Steering Committee.
 
Prior to arriving at Mercyhurst, Packer Webster served as the director of athletics communication and sports marketing at Allegheny College and the director of media relations for the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference.
 
Packer Webster earned her bachelor's degree in communications and media studies from Penn State University in 2004 and master's degree in communication studies from Edinboro University in 2006.
 
"I'm thrilled to have Lauren join us at RIT," said Spiotti. "She will be a very strong addition to our leadership team"