Moravian Names George Bright Director of Athletics & Recreation

BETHLEHEM, Pa. --- Moravian College has named George Bright, currently the Associate Director of Athletics at Lafayette College, as its next Director of Athletics & Recreation effective September 1.

"We are pleased to welcome George Bright to the Moravian College family as our new Director of Athletics & Recreation," stated President Dr. Bryon L. Grigsby '90. "George has had a long and distinguished career in college athletics, and we look forward to having him lead our department into the future."

Bright comes to Moravian to replace Scot Dapp, who retired on July 31 after 28 years at Moravian. Dapp spent 24 seasons as head football coach where he won a school-record 144 games from 1987 through 2010 and the last four years as Director of Athletics & Recreation.

Bright has been at Lafayette since 1993, first as Assistant Director of Athletics before being promoted to his current title in 2001. Bright's primary areas of leadership at Lafayette were athletic administration, facilities management, event management, and operations management. He is also responsible for the management of all practices and competitive events. He is the immediate administrative liaison for baseball, volleyball, golf, softball, men's and women's swimming, men's and women's tennis.

"Throughout my career, I have aspired to become a director of athletics at an institution where the pursuit of academic and athletic excellence is a permanent priority and I am most grateful for that opportunity at Moravian," stated Bright. "I have committed myself to performing at the highest level capable and will uphold the proud traditions of Moravian College. I have always believed 'loyalty,' 'integrity' and 'commitment' to be the cornerstones of my career and that will not change."

Bright played an integral role in the planning and construction phases of Lafayette's $23 million transformation of Fisher Stadium. He also assisted in the $36 million construction and renovation of Allan P. Kirby Sports Center, and several of the significant improvements at the College's Metzgar Fields Athletic Complex. A synthetic turf field for field hockey and lacrosse has been built, along with new baseball, softball, soccer and track facilities for Lafayette's student-athletes. Bright coordinates and supervises Lafayette's summer camps and preseason team camps, as well as the logistics for internal support areas, and the scheduling of outside events.

"Leaving Lafayette will be tough as it has been an incredible run of 22 years. I have had terrific experiences, worked alongside many excellent colleagues, and have had abundant opportunities to assist in the leadership development of our student-athletes. AD Bruce McCutcheon is a great leader and a good friend," Bright said. "I am ready to work to grasp a clear understanding of the needs and resources at Moravian, and to be a servant leader with thoughtful vision and strategic goals. My overall focus, however, is to inspire student-athletes to become the greatest form of themselves -- something that will uniquely be a solid platform to stand on throughout their lives."

During the summer of 2001, Bright was one of 24 athletic administrators selected nationally as the first class for the NCAA Leadership Institute. Bright also completed the Sports Management Institute Executive Program at Notre Dame and the University of South Carolina in 2005. He is also a former member of the NCAA Minority Opportunities and Interests Committee.

Prior to arriving at Lafayette, Bright worked at South Carolina State University for five years as the University Ticket Office Manager as well as the Executive Director of the S.T.A.T.E. Club for three years.

"I know I speak for all the coaches when I say we are looking forward to having an individual of George's caliber lead the Moravian Athletic Department," commented Associate Director of Athletics, Senior Women's Administrator and Head Women's Basketball Coach Mary Beth Spirk. "During the search process, he emerged as our absolute top choice. His leadership, experience and character are a perfect fit for Moravian."

A 1986 graduate of Claflin University in Orangeburg, S.C., Bright earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in liberal arts, and earned his Master of Arts degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from South Carolina State in May 1994. He has hours towards his doctorate in leadership and administration at East Stroudsburg University where he has served as an adjunct professor in Sport Management.

In the Easton community, Bright has served as president of the Easton Area School Board and is the former Chairman of the Northampton County Drug and Alcohol Commission. He has also served on the Board of Directors for the Easton Area Boys and Girls Club, the Easton Planning Commission and the Colonial Intermediate Unit 20.

"I want to provide a high-level, exceptional academic and athletic experience for our student-athletes," explained Bright. "I want them to exhibit academic accomplishment and operational integrity while competing for conference championships and post-season tournaments.

"I am excited about working with Dr. Grigsby and his incredible team, as well as leading such a strong talented group of coaches and athletics staff," continued Bright. "Moravian College is recognized for its outstanding commitment to a quality environment and experience for its students, faculty and staff. My vision will center its focus on the well-being of student-athletes, with the goal to consistently improve the quality of their collegiate and athletic experience. My vision also is one which looks to build community through partnerships with constituents across campus, alumni, service organizations and businesses in the Lehigh Valley and beyond. I hope to establish a championship culture that builds confidence, motivates and inspires student-athletes and athletics staff."