COLONIA, NJ – East Coast Conference Commissioner Jessica Grasso has announced a strategic structuring of the ECC staff, which includes the elevation of Nikki Philpot to Assistant Commissioner for External Operations and the additions of Kathleen DeLitta as Associate Commissioner for Athletic Administration/SWA and Christopher Smith as Director of Media.
"As our conference continues to evolve to meet the changing landscape of collegiate athletics, this strategic staff structuring reflects our commitment to purposeful growth, operational excellence, and enhanced services to our member institutions and student-athletes," said Grasso.
Philpot has been elevated to Assistant Commissioner for External Operations. In this role, she will oversee the management of FloSports and broadcast operations, enhance the conference's non-sport press releases and storytelling efforts, and oversee the Director of Media position while assisting with identifying and executing marketing initiatives and sponsorship opportunities among other responsibilities.
Philpot will remain in the role of the conference's student-athlete programing, which will include continued oversight of SAAC, leadership programming, community service, and engagement opportunities.
"This transitional position for Nikki reflects her hard work and professional growth to take on new opportunities," said Grasso. "Her strategic thinking, consistent productivity, and positive impact will contribute to the goals the ECC has established to enhance the conferences' external areas."
Philpot was hired as the Coordinator of Strategic Communications for the ECC in August of 2023 and was elevated to Assistant Commissioner for Strategic Communications in July of 2024. In those roles, Philpot oversaw the day-to-day publicity and communication efforts and assisted in managing the championships of the ECC's 20 Division II sports.
DeLitta has joined the ECC as the Associate Commissioner for Athletic Administration and will serve as the conference's Senior Woman Administrator (SWA).
DeLitta will oversee all aspects of the conference related to internal operations, management, and administration, including compliance and governance. She will also oversee operations and logistics for the ECC's Olympic sports and championships while serving as the conference office liaison for representation on ECC and NCAA committees.
"We are thrilled to welcome Kathleen DeLitta as our new Associate Commissioner of Athletic Administration" said Grasso. "Her leadership, experience, and dedication to supporting student-athletes and coaches will be invaluable as we continue to grow and strengthen the conference. Kathleen brings a deep understanding of collegiate athletics and a strong commitment to excellence, and I am confident she will make an impact on the ECC."
DeLitta arrives at the ECC by way of Rosemont College, where she held the role of Associate Director of Athletics and Head Women's Soccer Coach since April 2021 before earning the Director of Athletics tag last month. During her time at Rosemont, DeLitta streamlined NCAA onboarding for new student-athletes and coaches to improve efficiency, facilitated annual training sessions for coaches to enhance skills and knowledge, and incorporated data insights to improve departmental operations through integration of full-time roles.
Prior to Rosemont, DeLitta spent nine seasons, from 2012 to 2021, at Rowan College at Burlington County as the Head Women's Soccer Coach, where she was named GSAC Coach of the year in 2012 and led her team to Region XIX Championships and Finals. She also served as the Sports Information and Game Day Coordinator, Athletic Specialist, and Admissions Counselor during her time at Rowan.
DeLitta attended American Public University, where she studied Business Management with a concentration in Leadership.
Smith will serve as the ECC's Director of Media, a role in which he will oversee the day-to-day publicity and communication efforts and assist in managing the championships of the ECC's 20 Division II sports.
Smith will also coordinate weekly awards, statistics, and records, assist in developing and implementing the conference's digital and social media strategy, and maintain the ECC's official website, ECCSports.org.
"Christopher completes the ECC staff as our new Director of Media," said Grasso. "His fresh prospective, creative energy, and experience will assist in enhancing our communications and media efforts with our membership and fans."
Smith arrives at the ECC by way of Widener University, where he held the role of Athletic Communications and Operations graduate assistant from August 2023 through May 2025 following a yearlong stint as a Game Day and Athletic Communications Intern from August 2022 through May 2023. While in those roles, Smith supported the Director of Communications across gameday operations, social media, statistics, and NCAA coordination, led stat input and live calling for all varsity sports, and contributed to hosting and promoting the Division III NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament First Round.
Smith earned a Master of Business Administration degree in Organizational Leadership from Widener University this past May and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in Sport Management in August 2023.