TOLEDO, Ohio – University of Toledo Vice President and Director of Athletics Bryan B. Blair announced the hiring of Nicole Alderson as the Rockets' Executive Associate Athletic Director and Chief Operating Officer today.  
 
Alderson will be responsible for several key functions in her role. She will serve as the sport administrator for football, women's basketball, women's golf and women's swimming; and provide leadership in the department's efforts relating to Name, Image and Likeness (NIL), strategic planning, business community engagement, gender equity, and strength & conditioning. Nicole will also represent the University in Mid-American Conference governance structure as the department's senior woman administrator, a role currently held by Kelly Andrews, who is retiring this spring after 21 years at Toledo.
 
"We are thrilled to welcome Nicole to the Rocket Family," said Blair. "We had an extremely deep and talented pool of candidates, and Nicole rose to the top. She is a former Division I student-athlete, nationally respected collegiate athletics leader, and tireless student-athlete advocate. Her experience, work ethic, interpersonal skills, and strategic vision will be key components to our incredibly bright future. College athletics is currently undergoing intensive changes and Nicole is the ideal fit for this new, re-imagined leadership position."
 
Alderson most recently served as Associate Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Development/Senior Woman Administrator at Grand Canyon University, an NCAA Division I school in Phoenix, Arizona. Her duties included providing leadership and oversight for the daily operations of the academic support and student-athlete development for more than 450 student-athletes on 21 varsity teams. She also had administrative oversight of GCU's women's soccer and beach volleyball programs.
 
While at Grand Canyon, Alderson served on the NIL Disclosure and Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Sports Management committees. She also served as the department's NCAA diversity and inclusion designee, Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) advisor, and assisted in the hiring of five head coaches.
 
"I am extremely excited to make my way to Toledo and join the Rocket and Toledo community," said Alderson. "I would like to thank Bryan Blair and the search committee for this wonderful opportunity and for putting their trust in me to join their leadership team. Bryan's vision for Toledo Athletics is extremely compelling and I am grateful to be part of Rocket Nation. I am excited and humbled by the opportunity to serve and impact the student-athletes, coaches, and department as we continue to perform at the highest level both academically and athletically while providing our student-athletes with a first-class intercollegiate athletic experience."
 
Prior to her time at Grand Canyon, Alderson worked at Florida Atlantic University from 2015-21 and at the University of Louisville from 2012-15.  At FAU, Alderson worked in the Student-Athlete Success Center, managing the academic, life skills and career development for nearly 450 student-athletes. She also served as the sport administrator for women's volleyball. At Louisville, her alma mater, Alderson was the assistant director of academic and vocational services where she managed and oversaw academic support services in the Yum! Academic Center.
 
A native of Carlisle, Ontario, Canada, Alderson earned a Bachelor of Science in health and human performance, with a double concentration in exercise science and physical education, as well as a Master of Science in sport administration, from Louisville. Alderson was a four-year letterwinner on the women's rowing team for the Cardinals.
 
NICOLE ALDERSON FILE
Professional Experience 

2021-23 Grand Canyon University

• Associate Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Development/Senior Woman Administrator

2015-21 Florida Atlantic University 

• 2016-21: Assistant Athletic Director/Associate Director, Student-Athlete Success Center
• 2016: Interim Director, Student-Athlete Center for Academic Excellence
• 2015-16: Assistant Director, Student-Athlete Center for Academic Excellence

2008-15 University of Louisville

• Assistant Director of Academic & Vocational Services
• Vocational & Academic Counselor
• Associate Academic Counselor

EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science '07, Health and Human Performance, University of Louisville
Master of Science '09, Sport administration, University of Louisville

What they are saying about Nicole Alderson
"We are very thankful for Nicole's dedication and commitment to our student-athletes and to GCU.  She raised the standard of excellence in our Student-Athlete Development department, built strong relationships throughout campus, and led by example through her work ethic, authentic positivity, and genuine investment in people.  We are proud of her taking this next step in her career and she will do great things at Toledo alongside Bryan Blair.  We will certainly miss her and will always consider her part of our Lope Family."
-Jamie Boggs, Vice President of Athletics, Grand Canyon University
 
"Nicole was an outstanding member of our academic staff. She demonstrated great passion for our student-athletes and a strong commitment to their academic success. I am confident that she will be a tremendous addition to the Toledo leadership team."
- Brian White, Vice President and Director of Athletics, Florida Atlantic University
 
"Bryan Blair has hit a home run on the hiring of Nicole Alderson. She has a gift for serving student-athletes, supporting coaches and she bring a tremendous amount of experience and wisdom to this position."
-Eric Coleman, Interim Director of Athletics, Texas A&M University-Commerce
 
"I have been blessed to know and work with Nicole the past couple years.  She is a dedicated, smart, and energetic professional who inspires student-athletes to excellence academically, athletically, and personally.  As a former student-athlete and experienced administrator, she understands and encompasses all that is good about collegiate athletics.  Nicole will be a great addition to the Rocket family!"
-Dana Drew-Shaw, Director of Government Relations, Grand Canyon University / Former Toledo Rocket women's basketball player and Varsity T Hall of Fame member
 
"Nicole Alderson is an outstanding administrator who is focused on the total development of student-athletes. She is a servant leader who will positively impact the Toledo Rockets community. I am excited to watch her career continue to grow at UT. Congrats to Athletics Director Bryan Blair for adding an exceptional person to his Rockets team."
-Pat Chun, Director of Athletics, Washington State University