Associate Vice President/Deputy Athletics Director
Jacksonville University Athletics announced the hiring of Rick Canter as Deputy Athletic Director/Chief Operating Officer in June 2022.
Canter comes to JU after 11 years at Longwood, where he most recently served as Deputy AD since January 2021.
“I'd like to thank Athletic Director Alex Ricker-Gilbert for his trust in me and for the opportunity to join a department of such dedication and excellence,” said Canter. “From the moment I stepped foot on campus, I felt viscerally, the sheer drive and energy that the coaches and staff have.
“This is a special place and I truly look forward to helping Jacksonville Athletics reach greater heights."
His role at JU will be to work closely with Ricker-Gilbert on departmental strategy and day-to-day decision making. Additionally, he will oversee select units within the department, specifically those involving student-health and performance, areas which have seen an increased focus and growth over the last several years. He will assume the role of COO and also serve as a sport administrator for select programs.
“I am thrilled to welcome Rick and Marissa to Jacksonville. Rick will have an immediate impact on our student-athletes, coaches, and staff,” said Senior Vice President/Athletic Director Alex Ricker-Gilbert. “He brings a wealth of experience ranging from strength and conditioning to fundraising to academic support.
“It is rare to find someone with his skillset and I am excited to have him by my side as we continue to build.”
The Pittsburgh native climbed the ladder within the department at Longwood, starting his career with the Lancers in Sports Performance as a part-time strength and conditioning coach. He grew to lead the Sports Performance team in Farmville for nearly a decade, before advancing into senior leadership within the athletic department.
After working his way up to the role of Associate Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Enhancement, he ascended to the role of Senior Associate AD/Administration in June 2019. As Deputy AD at Longwood, he oversaw all external and internal units, including athletic communications, marketing and fan engagement, facilities, academic services, sports medicine, compliance and student services and sports performance.
Also during his time there, he led the Student-Athlete Enhancement Team to develop the Athletics’ Mental Health Emergency Action Plan, developed and led the Coaches Leadership Academy for professional development for the assistant coaches, was the lead facilitator for the Lancer Leadership Academy, a student-athlete leadership program, and wrote and implemented the Name, Image and Likeness Policy. Additionally, he managed the scholarship and SAF/SAOF budgets, played a key role in coach hiring, served on the University Diversity Council, was Subcommittee Chair for Student Retention and Persistence and was a member of the CSCCa Job Analysis Task Force. He also served as a sport administrator for baseball, men’s soccer, field hockey, men’s and women’s tennis and men’s and women’s cross country, all while developing curriculum and teaching as an adjunct member of the school’s faculty.
Canter started his career as a strength and conditioning coach, working at Robert Morris from 2009-11, after serving an internship in strength and conditioning at Auburn from May to August 2009. He was also an intern in the strength and conditioning programs at Pitt from May to August 2008 and at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania as an undergrad there.
He earned his bachelor of science degree in exercise science from Bloomsburg in 2009 and his master of science in instructional leadership with a concentration in sport management from Robert Morris in 2011.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT CANTER
“Rick is an extremely bright administrator who leads with his heart. He leads through a teacher's lens, while continually focusing on getting better. Jacksonville is getting a star in the making.
-Troy Austin
Duke Deputy Director of Athletics/Competitive Excellence, People & Culture
“Jacksonville has hit a homerun with the addition of Rick Canter. He’s a thoughtful, strategic and innovative leader that builds influence through genuine relationships and intentional focus on elevating those around him. He’s a rising star that made a tremendous impact in his time at Longwood and I know he will continue to do great things for the student-athletes, coaches and all of JU.”
- Michelle Meadows
NJCAA Vice President of Operations/COO, former Longwood Athletic Director
“I have known Rick as a professional colleague for many years. As a fellow strength coach in the Big South Conference, I can say without reservation he is a top shelf professional who looks to leave the ground much more fertile than he finds it. He is a true leader and visionary that provides great insight and value to any department of which he is a part. His consistency of high-level leadership, big picture thinking, and communication will be an asset to any department and university. Congrats on a hire well done.”
-Scott Bennett
CEO, Collegiate Strength & Conditioning Coaches Association.
