Debbie DeJong
Director of Athletics & Recreation

Phone: 3438
Email: debbie.dejong@liu.edu

Debbie DeJong was elevated to the position of Director of Athletics and Recreation at LIU Post on May 15, 2017.
  
DeJong previously served as Senior Associate Director of Athletics and Senior Woman Administrator at LIU Post from 2013-17.
 
"I am honored to follow in the footsteps of such extraordinary leaders and look forward to help write the next chapter of Pioneer athletics," said DeJong. "Bryan Collins has done a remarkable job leading our department for a decade. I am excited to build upon the tradition of success here at LIU Post."
 
"Debbie DeJong is a leader who understands the importance of success both on and off the field and she will make an excellent Director of Athletics," LIU Chief of Administration and Student Affairs Joseph Schaefer said.  "Bryan Collins has had a very successful tenure as Director of Athletics and we support his decision to concentrate on leading our successful football program."
 
In her former capacity, DeJong was responsible for handling the day-to-day responsibilities of overseeing athletic compliance for the Pioneers' 24 NCAA Division II varsity programs. She also advised Collins in establishing administrative policies and procedures that aid in achieving athletic goals and maintaining sound academic standards.
 
Additionally, DeJong served as lead administrator for several of the Pioneers' prominent programs, including the nationally-ranked football, field hockey, women's basketball, volleyball and baseball teams.
 
"LIU Post is fortunate to have Debbie DeJong lead the department's efforts into the future," former Director of Athletics Bryan Collins stated. "She has distinguished herself throughout her career as a strong leader with a commitment to furthering the development of the student-athlete, as well as the entire department. I am excited to continue to work with her, as this new era begins."

Prior to coming to LIU Post, DeJong spent seven years (2006-13) at fellow East Coast Conference institution Dowling College, six of which were served as the Associate Athletic Director for Facilities and Recreation. In that capacity, she supervised the areas of athletic facilities, game-day operations and campus recreation. Other duties included assisting with the development of a strategic plan, and the supervision of a full-time staff, interns, graduate assistants and approximately 200 student workers.

In five years of that stretch (2008-13), DeJong was the Head Softball Coach at Dowling. She compiled a record of 180-81 (.689) in her tenure patrolling the Golden Lions' dugout. Her squads advanced to five ECC Championships (won in 2010), and four NCAA Division II Tournaments.

From 2000-06, DeJong managed the day-to-day operations of the softball program at Division I St. John's University, working four as an assistant coach (2000-04), and two as a head coach (2004-06). While there, she implemented a recruiting plan to broaden the Red Storm's pipeline from a regional to nationwide effort, developed strategies to enhance alumni involvement, and coordinated the development of a mentoring program for incoming freshmen softball players to improve retention rates.

DeJong graduated from Rutgers University in May 2000 with a bachelor's degree in Psychology, and got her master's in Elementary Education from St. John's in 2002.

DeJong currently resides in Oakdale, N.Y. with her spouse, Melody, and son, Tyler.



 

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