CENTER VALLEY, Pa. — For John Vandevere, becoming Penn State Lehigh Valley’s new athletic director represents both a return to his professional roots and an opportunity to help shape the future of athletics at a growing Commonwealth Campus.
A lifelong Penn State fan who began his professional career in college athletics, Vandevere brings a strategic focus on strengthening the student-athlete experience, increasing participation, building community partnerships and raising the profile of Penn State Lehigh Valley Athletics.
“Athletics is an important part of the student experience and the sense of belonging we want every student to find at Penn State Lehigh Valley,” said Chancellor Tina Q. Richardson. “We are excited to welcome John and the energy, experience and strategic thinking he brings to our campus. As we continue to focus on student success, recruitment and retention, strong athletic programs can help students build connections, develop as leaders and become even more engaged members of our campus community.”
Vandevere, originally from Philadelphia, earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Millersville University. Most recently, he and his family were living in Orlando but wanted to return to Pennsylvania. When the athletic director position at Penn State Lehigh Valley became available, Vandevere saw an opportunity to return both to the region and to collegiate athletics.
“To get back into college athletics at Penn State, it’s impacted everyone in the family positively,” he said.
Since beginning his new role at the start of the semester, Vandevere has focused on assessing the athletics program and identifying opportunities for strategic growth. Priorities include strengthening recruiting, developing sponsorships and fundraising, building relationships throughout the Lehigh Valley and increasing the visibility of the campus’s athletic programs.
“John brings tremendous energy and experience to Penn State Lehigh Valley and our student-athletes,” said D’Andre Miller, director of student affairs. “As our campus continues to grow, athletics will play an important role in student success and retention. John is the right person to lead our programs and help them grow.”
Penn State Lehigh Valley currently fields teams in golf, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s soccer and women’s volleyball. Looking ahead, Vandevere sees opportunities to increase participation and expand the athletics program, including potentially reviving women’s soccer and adding men’s and women’s cross country, baseball and softball over the next five years.
“There’s a lot of work ahead, but it’s exciting,” he said.
Building that future, Vandevere said, requires more than adding teams. He wants to strengthen relationships with coaches, reinforce recruiting efforts, establish sustainable budgets and develop the fundraising and community support necessary to provide student-athletes with a strong collegiate experience.
Facilities are another priority. Because Penn State Lehigh Valley does not have a dedicated athletics venue, partnerships throughout the region play an important role in providing student-athletes with quality places to practice and compete. That approach is already taking shape through a new partnership with Upper Macungie Township, which provides facilities for Penn State Lehigh Valley men’s and women’s basketball and women’s volleyball.
Vandevere sees opportunities to build on relationships like the Upper Macungie partnership as the athletics program grows.
“Upper Macungie Township is a great example of the partnerships we can build throughout the Lehigh Valley,” Vandevere said. “Having quality facilities for our teams creates a better experience for our student-athletes while also connecting Penn State Lehigh Valley more closely with the communities we serve.”
At the center of Vandevere’s approach are the student-athletes themselves. He said he recognizes the significant commitment required to balance practices and competition with classes, homework and, for some students, jobs and family responsibilities. One of his priorities is helping Penn State Lehigh Valley student-athletes have an experience that recognizes that commitment and supports their success both in competition and in the classroom.
“That’s my biggest passion: how can I impact their lives in a positive way.” Vandevere said. “There are so many factors pulling at student-athletes, and they still find a way to be great student-athletes with great grades. That’s my goal — to give student-athletes that experience and give them everything they deserve.”
Vandevere said he also sees athletics as an opportunity to strengthen Penn State Lehigh Valley’s connection with the broader community. His vision includes athletic programs that residents are proud to support and student-athletes who understand the importance of giving back to the communities that support them.
“We’re reaching out to people in the community who may need help, whether it’s something like raking leaves or shoveling snow,” he said. “We want to give back to the community and be active, so we want to find other groups to work with.”
For Vandevere, the opportunity to lead athletics at Penn State Lehigh Valley brings together his professional experience, his connection to Pennsylvania and his passion for collegiate athletics. More importantly, he sees the position as an opportunity to build a stronger athletics program that contributes to the overall student experience.
“It’s exciting for me to have an impact on this campus and be part of it all,” he said.