Athletic Insider Interview Series: Dani Drews

Photo of Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreation Dani Drews courtesy of GeneseoKnights.com

In July 2022, SUNY Geneseo welcomed Dani Drews as the new Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreation. The decision to appoint Drews as the new Director came after Mike Mooney’s 37-year tenure came to an end. Drews was brought in with the hopes that she would not only continue Geneseo’s long history of success but also grow the many athletic programs that bear the Knights’ prestigious name. 

With a Bachelor’s degree in history from Hamilton College and a Master’s degree in medieval history from UConn, it is indisputable that Drews cares heavily about academics along with athletics. 

That is not to say that she wasn’t athletically gifted, for she was a captain on both her softball and volleyball teams. Drews reflected on the climate of the athletics department at Hamilton while she was a student at a time when “Title IX was in its infancy with hand-me-down anything,” as she said. Despite that ever-changing climate while in attendance, Dani made a point to mention that they have made great strides in becoming more progressive in recent years.

This position with Geneseo is not exactly a huge leap, as she has held similar positions in years past. From 2000-2005, Drews was the Assistant Athletic Director at SUNY Oswego. Following that, she was the Athletic Director at The Sage Colleges, Assistant Athletic Director at SUNY Brockport, and most recently, the Associate Athletic Director at Brockport. But even before all of those experiences, Drews was the women’s volleyball coach at Oswego from 1991-2005. Being such a hard worker, she was able to balance coaching along with her Assistant Athletic Director role. While free time is limited with such responsibilities, it is all worth it to see the impact she makes on students and the campus.

Despite much experience and passion for athletics, Drews said that she refuses to ever hold such a position outside of Division III. “It changes so much when money is added,” said Drews. At a Division-III school, it allows for the director to have a more personal relationship with the student-athletes. Drews cares so much about her athletes that she even tapes pictures on the window of her office so the cross-country runners can see them as they jog by. In just her first year at Geneseo, she has made tremendous efforts to interact with all athletes and members of the athletics staff and make them feel a part of the Knights community.

In addition to the great successes of the Knights on the field, Drews is more proud of the athletic department’s achievements off the field. “Committees with peer-to-peer and peer-to-staff training have been a big part of the environment,” she said. “Wins and losses are really cool, but seeing students do so much at that level and with such poise makes you a proud mama.”

Without a doubt, the position is taxing. Through some understaffing and positions that need to be filled, leading the charge is not an easy task. Drews makes an effort to ensure that everyone is happy, including players, coaches, and other staff. Atop the heap of work, she still makes it a priority to make sure that the home events maintain a certain level of sportsmanship. 

With all of the responsibilities and sometimes never-ending tasks, Dani Drews still sees the bright side in all of it. “Seeing kids come in as scared freshmen and leaving to take on the world, you remember why you do this.”