American University President Sylvia Burwell announced in an email Tuesday that JM Caparro will replace Billy Walker as director of athletics and recreation, following the announcement of Walker’s retirement on Oct. 10, 2023.
Caparro will join the University on June 1, 2024 after two years as deputy director of athletics at Boston College. Walker will continue to work with the department during the month of June “for a seamless transition,” Burwell wrote.
To support the transition, incoming University president Jonathan Alger met with Caparro and spoke highly of him, saying “His innovative approach and deep understanding of current issues facing the NCAA and collegiate athletics will help AU and our student-athletes thrive.”
Lindsay Teeters, head coach of the University’s women’s lacrosse team and a member of the search committee, said, “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.”
The hiring comes as the university begins building a multimillion dollar student athletic complex, the first new athletics building in 30 years. The center is intended to expand recreation and community building efforts across “... the entire AU community,” Burwell wrote.
Before serving as deputy director at Boston College, Caparro spent seven years as the senior associate athletic director for external affairs. While there, Caparro oversaw daily operations of the 31 varsity programs and served as the sports administration for a number of men’s and women’s teams. He also oversaw marketing, led ticket sales and service, communications, multimedia rights, ticket operations, facilities operations, equipment operations and event management. Caparro also set records with his implementation of new multimedia rights for Boston College apparel in his development of “... strategic initiatives to maximize revenue opportunities,” Burwell said.
Before joining Boston College, Caparro was the vice president of ticket sales and service for the Brooklyn Nets. There, he led the relocation of the team to multiple locations and managed over $70 million in ticket sales.
Burwell thanked Walker for his service to the University and the search committee for their commitment to the school.
“Billy built a strong foundation that JM will continue to build upon and elevate AU athletics and recreation to its next level,” Burwell wrote in the email.
AU Athletics will host a press conference with Caparro on April 15 at 1 p.m.
This article was edited by Penelope Jennings, Abigail Turner and Abigail Pritchard. Copy editing done by Luna Jinks.
