Dear AU Community,

I am excited to announce the appointment of JM Caparro as our next director of athletics and recreation. JM will join American University on June 1, succeeding Billy Walker as he retires after more than 11 years at the university, a time that featured 15 Patriot League Championships and 15 NCAA tournament appearances. Billy will work with JM during June for a seamless transition.

JM comes to AU as our athletics and recreation endeavors continue to expand their impact and serve as source of inspiration, opportunity, and pride in the AU community. In addition to ongoing excellence in the classroom and in competition by our student athletes, AU athletics and recreation is entering a unique and exciting moment. Last month, we broke ground on the Alan and Amy Meltzer Center for Athletic Performance, AU’s first new athletic building in more than 30 years. The state-of-the-art facility will support student-athletes in their competitive performance and expand recreation, fitness, and community-building opportunities for the entire AU community. As part of the $109 million Student Thriving Complex––the largest investment in student thriving in AU’s history––the Meltzer Center will provide students with resources and spaces to learn lifelong skills, further a sense of belonging on campus, and foster physical and mental well-being.

Throughout the search process, JM demonstrated the enthusiasm, strategic approach, strong management, commitment to winning, and dedication to student athletes that will make him an effective leader and collaborative member of the AU community. JM has spent the last nine years at Boston College, including serving as deputy athletic director since 2022 and previously as senior associate athletic director for external affairs. He oversees the day-to-day operations of the athletics department and its 31 varsity programs; serves as sport administrator for football, women’s lacrosse, and women’s volleyball (and formerly for men’s basketball, men’s and women’s skiing, and men’s and women’s fencing); and leads ticket sales and service, marketing, multimedia rights, communications, ticket operations, equipment operations, facilities operations, and event management. He also develops and implements strategic initiatives to maximize revenue opportunities, which recently included record-setting apparel and multimedia rights partnerships for Boston College.

As part of the transition, incoming president Jon Alger met with JM and said of his selection, “JM is an accomplished athletic leader who prioritizes the holistic growth and success of student-athletes. His innovative approach and deep understanding of current issues facing the NCAA and collegiate athletics will help AU and our student-athletes thrive. I’m looking forward to working with him and celebrating championships in Bender Arena, the Meltzer Center, and all our competition fields.”

Before joining Boston College, JM was the vice president of ticket sales and service for the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets, where he managed more than $70 million annually in ticket sales and service functions. He helped lead the Nets’ relocation from the Izod Center to Prudential Center in New Jersey, and then on to Barclays Center in Brooklyn, bringing the first professional franchise back to Brooklyn in over 50 years. Prior to the Nets, Caparro was a member of the Team Marketing and Business Operations group with the NBA league office.

Lindsay Teeters, head coach of AU’s lacrosse team and member of the search committee, said, “On behalf of the search committee, I would like to welcome JM Caparro to the Eagle family. JM brings a dynamic vision and unwavering commitment to excellence in athletics. With his leadership, we are poised to inspire our student-athletes to achieve their full potential on and off the field and drive American University Athletics to new heights and success.”

I want to thank Billy Walker for his long and impactful service to American University. With Billy’s guidance and leadership, our student-athletes have achieved academically, in competition, and in life. Billy built a strong foundation that JM will continue to build upon and elevate AU athletics and recreation to its next level. I also want to thank the members of the search committee who helped identify and recruit JM:

• Lindsay Campbell, Chief Development Officer, AU Athletics 
• Jack Cassell, Member, Board of Trustees
• Noor Coenan, alumnae, former member of the AU field hockey team
• Gwen Coleman, Director of Community and Government Relations
• Jeremi Duru, Professor, Washington College of Law and Director, WCL Sport & Society Initiative
• Seth Grossman, Search Committee Chair; Vice President of Administration and Chief Administrative Officer
• Dave Marchick, Dean, Kogod School of Business
• Alan Meltzer, Member, Board of Trustees
• Lindsey Teeters, Head Coach, Lacrosse
• Bridget Trogden, Dean for Undergraduate Education and Academic Student Services

Please join me in congratulating JM and welcoming him to American University. 

Sincerely,

Sylvia