Dr. Scarlett Schmidt named Executive Director of Athletics Development

Penn made a surprise announcement today in the athletic department, naming Dr. Scarlett Schmidt to the position of Executive Director of Athletics Development.

"I am pleased to welcome Scarlett to our department," Athletic Director Steve Bilsky said in a press release earlier today. "She is taking on a very important role in our department, but I have the utmost confidence in her abilities based on her track record."

Schmidt has performed similar roles at George Washington and Delaware in her previous jobs. Most recently, she was the Senior Executive Director of Athletics Development and Associate Athletic Director at GW.

In her time at Delaware, Schmidt helped money as Director of Athletic Development for the University of Delaware Athletic Fund. During her tenure from 2007 to 2011, she led the fund to a 300-percent increase in dollars raised.

Bilsky saw the critical role that Schmidt can have for the Athletics Development program.

"Scarlett is coming to Penn at a very important time in our department's history," Bilsky continued. "We are wrapping up the Campaign for Penn Athletics this fall, and a lot has been done thanks to our development staff over the last five years."

Schmidt also previously worked in the athletic departments of Ohio State and Virginia Tech.