College of the Holy Cross President Vincent D. Rougeau announced Monday that the College has hired Christopher ‘Kit’ Hughes, an experienced athletics administrator and former student-athlete as its new director of intercollegiate athletics.
Hughes, 42, is currently the deputy athletic director at Bowling Green State University in Ohio. He will start his role at Holy Cross in January.
Hughes will be introduced to the Holy Cross community at a press conference at 10 a.m. Thursday in the Doran Auditorium inside the Hart Center at the Luth Athletic Complex. For COVID reasons, the press conference will be open to members of the press and Holy Cross athletics department employees only. It will also be livestreamed on YouTube.
“Throughout our national search process, it was apparent that Kit understood and embraced our Jesuit mission and the significant role athletics plays at Holy Cross,” said President Rougeau. “As a former student-athlete, coach and administrator, he brings broad and relevant experience to his new role. His principled leadership, commitment to academic excellence and integrity, and deep experience in creating the strategic vision and structures that enable success stood out to the search committee, and make him an outstanding fit for the College.
“I’m excited to welcome Kit and his family to the Holy Cross community, and look forward to working with him to build a bright future for Crusader athletics.”
While at Bowling Green, Hughes helped lead day-to-day operations of the Falcons’ athletic department, and was responsible for administration of its men’s basketball and football teams. He came to Bowling Green after seven years at North Carolina State University.
“My family and I are thrilled to join what we know to be a very special community at Holy Cross. It is an honor to be selected by President Rougeau and the search committee to represent the proud tradition and passionate alumni of Crusader athletics,” said Hughes. “I look forward to working side-by-side with our talented student-athletes, coaches and staff as we relentlessly pursue excellence in all areas of the Holy Cross experience. I believe this is an institution at which one can truly have it all, and I am excited to join the team as we strive to serve, support and challenge our athletics family to achieve its full potential. The best is yet to come, and I cannot wait to get started.”
Hughes earned his bachelor’s degree in sociology in 2001 from Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine and received his master’s degree in higher education from Boston College in 2006. He was a four-year letterman in lacrosse at Bowdoin and led his team to the ECAC Championship in 2001.
A Massachusetts native, Hughes is married to the former Kathrine Ranere and the couple has four children: daughter Finley, 13, and sons Coady, 12, Cullen, 10, and Griffin, 10.
Former Holy Cross Athletic Director Marcus Blossom left the College this fall to take the reins at Creighton University. Senior Associate Athletic Directors Rose Shea and Nick Smith have led the department in the interim.
Hughes takes over a Holy Cross athletics program that boasts 27 NCAA Division I teams as members of the Patriot League, Atlantic Hockey Association and the Women's Hockey East Association. Holy Cross' athletic teams are tied for first in the nation with an overall graduation rate of 99 percent, the second straight year in which the Crusaders have led the nation and the 15th consecutive year at 97 percent or higher.
Crusader fans can support Holy Cross athletics with a gift to the Crusader Athletics Fund, by purchasing tickets to an upcoming game, or showing your purple pride with gear from our online store.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT KIT HUGHES
Bob Moosbrugger, director of athletics and recreation, Bowling Green State University:
“Kit Hughes is a terrific choice for Holy Cross as the new Director of Athletics. His commitment to and passion for the growth of student-athletes, coaches and staff is one that he will bring great energy to at Holy Cross. Kit has been instrumental in our overall success at Bowling Green State University. His solution-based, collaborative approach has led to record-setting academic, athletic and fundraising success. Although he will be greatly missed at BGSU, I am happy for Kit, Katy, Finley, Coady, Cullen and Griffin."
Dr. Deborah Yow, former athletic director, North Carolina State University:
“Kit Hughes is a home run hire for Holy Cross. He will engage collaboratively with College leadership to support their overarching goals. At the same time, he will assess and determine the next best steps to advance the Holy Cross athletics program. This will best ensure that the student athletes have a positive and life-changing experience.”
Jon Steinbrecher, commissioner, Mid-American Conference:
“I congratulate Holy Cross for attracting and hiring Kit Hughes to serve as its next director of athletics. Kit is one of the bright young voices in intercollegiate athletics. He will bring great energy with a strategic focus. More importantly, he is committed to the holistic development of the student-athletes. His actions will focus on the academic, athletic and social growth and advancement of Holy Cross student-athletes.”
Tom O’Brien, former head football coach, Boston College and NC State:
“Kit Hughes is a very energetic, driven young man. He will work extremely hard to make sure that Holy Cross has the best athletic department in the country. I know he’s super excited to get back to his roots in New England and he’s had valuable experience working at a Jesuit college when we were together at Boston College. So I think it’s not only a great fit for Kit and his family, but I think it’s a great fit for the Holy Cross community.”
Jerry York, men’s hockey coach, Boston College:
“I am excited to see Holy Cross hire Kit Hughes as their Athletic Director. I have known Kit for over 20 years and worked closely with him at Boston College. He will bring leadership, integrity and tremendous enthusiasm to this position.”
Rodney K. Rogers, president, Bowling Green State University:
“Congratulations to Kit Hughes on his appointment as the next director of athletics at the College of the Holy Cross. I have appreciated his work at Bowling Green State University since 2014, most recently as our deputy director of athletics. His leadership elevated external relations, communications and community engagement for BGSU Athletics. We are excited for Kit, his family and what’s ahead for the Crusaders.”
