MANCHESTER, N.H. – Saint Anselm College President Dr. Michael Lewis has announced a leadership transition within its Department of Athletics, as Phil Rowe will transition from Director of Athletics to Athletics Senior Advisor and Jonathan Harper, Ed.D., will assume the role of Interim Director of Athletics, effective Jan. 11, 2027.
Rowe will continue to serve the College in an advisory capacity, supporting the Department of Athletics and its leadership as Saint Anselm prepares for its upcoming transition to NCAA Division III, with primary membership in the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC).
"Phil's leadership has been especially valuable as we prepare to transition from NCAA Division II to Division III and join the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference. I am thankful he will continue serving the college as Athletics Senior Advisor, providing guidance and continuity during this important period," Lewis said. "Jonathan Harper brings extensive experience in collegiate athletics administration and has played a direct role in planning for our NCAA transition. Our Hawks athletics programs contribute to student development, strengthen connections across our community, and provide a shared source of pride."
A veteran of more than 35 years in collegiate athletics as a coach and administrator, Rowe first joined Saint Anselm in 1984 as the head women's soccer coach and assistant men's basketball coach. He returned to the Hilltop in January 2021 as Interim Associate Director of Athletics before being named Interim Director of Athletics in January 2025. The interim designation was removed from his title in December 2025.
"It has been an incredible privilege to work alongside such a dedicated and talented group of coaches, administrators, and staff," said Rowe. "I am enormously proud of what we have accomplished together and even more appreciative of the relationships we have built. While my role will change, I am not leaving Saint Anselm. I look forward to continuing to support the College and our athletics community during this historic transition."
In the 2025-26 academic year, three programs captured Northeast 10 Conference (NE10) championships under Rowe's leadership, as the women's soccer, field hockey, and men's basketball teams claimed league titles. The department also saw several leadership enhancements during his tenure as Director of Athletics, with promotions awarded to administrators and coaches. Additionally, construction officially began on the Van Hoof Athletic Complex in the summer of 2026. The facility, which will host the Hawks' men's and women's soccer programs, as well as the men's and women's track teams, is expected to be completed in the spring of 2027. Along with securing primary membership in the NEWMAC, Rowe was instrumental in obtaining affiliate membership in the Little East Conference (LEC) for the men's and women's golf and ice hockey programs, as well as securing additional postseason opportunities through membership in the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference (ECAC).
Throughout his career, Rowe has held coaching and administrative positions at numerous institutions, including New England College, Plymouth State College, Keene State College, the University of New Hampshire, George Washington University, Endicott College, and William Peace University. His administrative experience also includes serving as Director of Athletics at Wheelock College, Newbury College, and Daniel Webster College, as well as Executive Director of Athletics at William Peace. He also served as Commissioner of the Great Northeast Athletic Conference over the 1995-96 academic year as a founder of the league.
Rowe's accomplishments at Plymouth State have also earned him significant recognition, as he was inducted into the Plymouth State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2014 in acknowledgement of his contributions as both a coach and administrator. He will receive additional recognition in May 2027 as the 1986 Plymouth State women's soccer team, which he coached to the NCAA Division III national championship game, is inducted into the Hall of Fame as part of its Class of 2027.
Harper brings more than 20 years of experience in intercollegiate athletics administration to his new role. He joined Saint Anselm in June 2025 as Deputy Director of Athletics for External Relations and was elevated to Senior Deputy Director of Athletics for External Relations in January 2026. In his current position, Harper oversees external operations for the College's 24 varsity programs, including department branding, corporate sponsorship opportunities, and strategic initiatives.
"I would like to extend my personal gratitude to President Lewis for the confidence and trust he has placed in me," said Harper. "I am sincerely humbled by this opportunity, and I certainly don't take the responsibility lightly. Saint Anselm is a special place, and having the opportunity to serve the College in this capacity means a great deal to me."
In his current role, he serves as the sport supervisor for the cross country, field hockey, women's basketball, track & field, baseball, and women's lacrosse programs, offering guidance and support to the coaches and student-athletes. He also oversaw a brand-new athletic communications department which enhanced the visibility of the Hawks' 24 varsity athletic programs through creative social media campaigns and heightened live broadcasts via the NE10's FloSports partnership, including a game aired live on the FloSports Channel on Prime Video.
Harper also played a leading role in the Saint Anselm Athletics' fundraising and donor engagement efforts, spearheading the eighth annual #HawksSoarHigher Challenge in March 2026. The two-day campaign generated a record-breaking $325,617 in support of Saint Anselm Athletics, with 2,810 donors participating, surpassing the department's goal of 2,520 gifts by 111%. The effort marked the most successful athletics-specific fundraising challenge in College history, with contributions supporting individual team enhancements, travel, equipment, and the overall student-athlete experience.
Harper also spearheaded the department's refreshed visual identity, unveiled in October 2025, overseeing the development and rollout of a new athletics logo in collaboration with Royal Rooster. The rebrand reintroduced the image of a Hawk for the first time in several years while preserving Saint Anselm's traditional navy, grey, and white color palette. Featuring a subtle light blue accent in the Hawk's eye, the refreshed identity was accompanied by the tagline "Tradition with an eye to the future," reflecting the department's commitment to honoring its history while embracing continued growth and innovation.
Prior to arriving at Saint Anselm, Harper served for three years as Director of Athletics at Rivier University, a fellow NCAA Division III institution. His previous leadership experience includes Director of Athletics positions at Marymount California University and Newbury College, as well as serving as Commissioner of the Little East Conference and Associate Commissioner of the Northeast 10 Conference. He also served as Assistant Commissioner for Strategic Communications with the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference.
During his tenure at Rivier, Harper oversaw significant departmental growth, including the elevation of all head coaching positions to full-time roles, improvements to athletic facilities, and expanded student-athlete support initiatives. Under his leadership, the Raiders recorded their most successful competitive year in 2024-25, with 10 programs earning postseason berths, including the men's lacrosse program's first GNAC title.
Harper earned his undergraduate degree from Bridgewater State University, a master's degree in education from Nova Southeastern University, and a doctorate in sports leadership from Nova Southeastern University in December 2025.
The leadership transition comes as Saint Anselm prepares for a significant new chapter in its athletics history. The College will complete its final year of competition in the Northeast 10 Conference during the 2026-27 academic year before beginning its transition to NCAA Division III on July 1, 2027. Saint Anselm is expected to achieve full NCAA Division III membership in 2029-30, pending NCAA approval.
With Rowe continuing to serve the College as Senior Advisor and Harper assuming the role of Interim Director of Athletics, Saint Anselm will maintain leadership continuity as the department navigates this transition, while remaining focused on providing an outstanding experience for its student-athletes, coaches, and staff.
"I've had the privilege of working alongside Phil, learning from him, and witnessing firsthand just how much he cares about this institution, our student-athletes, coaches, and staff," Harper continued. "He has given so much of himself to Saint Anselm Athletics, and I am grateful that we will continue to benefit from his immense experience and perspective in this new role."
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