GETTYSBURG, Pa. – Troy Dell, a Class of 1995 graduate of Gettysburg College, has been named Executive Director of Athletics and Recreation at his alma mater, Vice President of Enrollment and Educational Services Carey Thompson announced on Friday.

Dell returns to his alma mater after serving as Director of Athletics at Frostburg State University since 2007. Dell was previously an Assistant Director of Athletics at Gettysburg from 2002-2007 while also serving as head wrestling coach from 1997-2007.

"Troy separated himself from an extremely strong candidate pool as we moved through this process," Thompson said. "The work he has accomplished at Frostburg over the last nearly two decades, especially in the world of strategic planning, fundraising, and facility enhancement, made him the ideal candidate to continue to elevate Gettysburg Athletics and move the department and College forward. He will be a strong leader as we strive to provide a championship experience for all of our student-athletes while continuing to ensure our athletes thrive in the classroom and support them in the consequential education that Gettysburg provides. I'm excited to work alongside Troy."

Since taking over the Bobcat athletic department, Dell has spearheaded countless improvements and changes at Frostburg. Not the least of which was the department's transition from Division III to Division II in 2019. He had oversight of 25 varsity sports, intramural and club sports, and an Activities for Life program that delivers more than 20 community fitness and wellness programs.

"I want to thank President Iuliano, Carey, and the entire search committee for the opportunity to return to my alma mater," Dell said. "There is great pride in being a Bullet. As an undergraduate, Gettysburg College provided me with a foundation of academic excellence that carried into my professional career. The time I spent coaching and working as administrator is the basis for how I continue to lead today. I'm honored to return and work with today's student-athletes and look forward to collaborating across campus as well as with the alumni and friends of the College."

During his time at Frostburg, his athletic department staff nearly doubled to the point where it now employs more than 100 professionals. He also developed an administrative structure that includes Frostburg's first Senior Woman Administrator along with a Senior Associate Athletic Director for Internal Operations, Associate Athletic Director for External Operations and three Assistant Athletic Directors.

Over his tenure, he shifted the department's dependance on fundraising for operational expenses to a fundraising program that provided enhancements that improve the experiences of all student-athletes. He also led efforts that increased the average cumulative grade-point average of student-athletes to 3.10 in 2023-2024, grew rosters that aided in reducing the gender gap in sports participation. His Bobcats also improved annually over the first five years of membership in the Mountain East Conference, finishing second in the Commissioners Cup Standing in 2023-2024.

Early in his tenure at Frostburg, Dell added men's lacrosse as a varsity sport in 2009, established one of Division II and III's top strength and conditioning programs that has a staff of five trained professionals, and increased the athletic training staff from three to seven full-time members. Both the strength and conditioning program and the athletic training staff have developed countless young professionals that play a vital role in collegiate athletics across the country.

In 2019, Dell negotiated a partnership agreement with UnderArmour that made the Baltimore-based company Frostburg's official outfitter. His vision for marketing and branding led the Bobcat athletic department through the development and standardization of logo usage and brand guidelines. He provided the funding to launch the Bobcat Sports Network, a high-definition, multi-camera webstream that allows Frostburg fans to watch a professional broadcast of more than 100 home athletic events each year.

Dell also established a student-athlete focused equipment room and developed procedures and protocols that reduced spending while providing the necessary services for more than 700 student-athletes and staff members.

Even before guiding the Bobcats in the move to Division II and the Mountain East Conference, Dell led Frostburg through the process and move to the Capital Athletic Conference prior to the 2010-2011 athletic year. He also guided the Bobcat football program into both the Empire 8 Conference and New Jersey Athletic Conference.

Facility improvement has been at the forefront of Dell's time at Frostburg. His leadership and guidance led to a $6 million renovation to Bobcat Stadium that included new utilities, press box, Presidential Suite, concession stand, walkways, athletic training room, two team locker rooms, and bleachers. In 2021, he oversaw the replacement of lights at Bobcat Stadium to new Musco LED lighting.

In the Cordts Physical Education Center, Dell oversaw upgrades to Bobcat Natatorium and the expansion of the weight room and fitness areas and renovation of the Bobcat Hall of Fame room. He planned and implemented the renovation and construction of the new baseball and football locker rooms that include oak lockers, branded decor, lounge furniture and modern audio/video equipment. Dell was also responsible for the creation of locker rooms for all women's sports, increasing locker square footage from 1329 to 2949 square feet. The locker rooms also include oak lockers, branded decor, lounge furniture, and modern audio/video equipment.

He also created Frostburg's new athletic training clinic that is equipped with brand new Hydroworx warm and cold pools as well as leading the planning and construction of two additional academic classrooms in the Cordts Center and a climbing facility that is used by the surrounding Frostburg community.

In addition, Dell recently began work on funding for renovations to the baseball and softball fields that would include new artificial turf, lights, backstop, and bullpens.

During his previous tenure at Gettysburg, he spent the final five years as Assistant Director of Athletics at Gettysburg. He oversaw the facilities and was responsible for setting playing and practice seasons as well as scheduling facility usage. He also served as the liaison to numerous departments, including key leaders in Campus Life, Physical Plant, and Campus Safety.

He served as the lead in numerous facility improvement projects in addition to serving as an administrator on both the College Judicial Board and Campus-Wide Parent Program. He also helped develop the first-year student orientation program.

As head wrestling coach, he produced eight Centennial Conference champions and seven national qualifiers over his 10 seasons at the helm.

"There are so many people associated with Gettysburg for whom I am extremely grateful," Dell continued. "If it wasn't for David Wilson's recruitment, I would not have been exposed to this great community come to Gettysburg as a college wrestler. I'm also forever thankful for Chuck Winters for hiring me to take over the wrestling program and David Wright for the opportunity to enter administration and being a lifelong mentor and friend."
Professionally, Dell has served on numerous NCAA committees, including as a member of the Division II Membership Committee since 2023. He previously served on the wrestling rules committee and women's soccer committee.

He holds a bachelor's degree in history from Gettysburg and a Master of Science in exercise science and physical education, with an emphasis in administration, from McDaniel.

Dell officially assumes his duties in mid-August in time for the return of fall student-athletes to Gettysburg.