FLUSHING, N.Y. – Following a nationwide search, Queens College of The City University of New York has selected China Jude, Director of Athletics at Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, as its Assistant Vice President of Athletics, effective August 1. She replaces AVP of Athletics Richard Wettan, who retired from Queens College after 30 years of service, and Interim Athletics Director/Director of Recreation Brian DeMasters.
 
Jude will oversee 19 varsity sports at Queens College, the only Division II college within the City University of New York. She inherits two East Coast Conference championship and nationally ranked men's and women's tennis programs -- both of which advanced to the NCAA Division II Round of 16 (the women's side finished the year ranked No. 24 in the country, while the men's team ranked 25th). An additional responsibility will be to ensure the continued success of QC recreation. This includes a variety of summer camp programs serving youth aged 5-18; a Saturday education and recreation program offered from October through May; community recreation (fitness training, tennis, and swimming), as well as student recreation and intramurals.
 
In her past four years at Cheyney, Jude moved the University past a three-year NCAA probationary period, restored the athletics program to a competitive state and strengthened the booster club through successful fundraising. Under her leadership, she had two Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Basketball Coaches of the Year, 30 All-PSAC athletes, eight individual PSAC Championships, two Academic All-Americans, and other regional and national honors. The department also earned a 2010 NCAA Division II Game Environment Award.
 
 “Queens College has an excellent reputation for its accomplished scholar-athletes—the cornerstone of Division II athletics,” says Sue Henderson, Chief Operating Officer and Vice President of Institutional Advancement. “China’s proven experience building effective athletics programs is exactly what’s needed to build on our strength and more fully incorporate athletics into campus life. We are delighted she is joining the team.”
 
“The Queens College Athletics program has great potential,” says Jude. “I am excited by the prospect of working with the staff, students and the entire college as we look to advance to a new, higher level.”
 
A current participant in Harvard University’s Management Leadership Education Program, Jude earned a BA in Broadcast Journalism from Alabama State University in 1994, an MSS in Sports Management at United States Sports Academy in 1996 and is pursuing her EdD in Athletic Administration at Northcentral University in Prescott, Arizona..
 
As a 16-year-old undergraduate at Alabama State University, Jude earned a scholarship to play on the Lady Hornets Volleyball Team, starting in every game. During her collegiate career, she earned Southwestern Athletic Conference (All-SWAC) honors. Afterwards, she competed in the Midwest Volleyball Professionals.
 
Honorably discharged in 1994 from the United States Naval Reserve, she is the mother of 21-year-old Tommy Lee Oliver, Jr., who currently serves in the United States Army.
 
The Queens College department of athletics offers varsity, intramural and recreational athletics opportunities to members of its campus community. The college sponsors 19 varsity sports at the NCAA Division II level, with the Knights competing predominantly in the East Coast Conference. Queens College's department of athletics encourages all student-athletes to complete a meaningful academic degree program, participate fully in the college community and prepare for life after college athletics. For more information on athletics, please visit www.queensknights.com.
 
Located on a beautiful, 77-acre campus in Flushing, Queens College of the City University of New York enjoys a national reputation for its liberal arts and sciences and pre-professional programs. Each year Queens College has been cited by The Princeton Review as one of the nation’s 100 “Best Value” colleges, thanks to its outstanding academics, generous financial aid packages, and relatively low costs. In addition, U.S. News & World Report America’s Best Colleges (2011) ranks QC among the top 10 public universities in its category “Best Universities—Master’s (North).” The college opened its first residence hall in August 2009. More info on Queens College at www.qc.cuny.edu.

Release provided by the Queens College Sports Information Department.