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Manhattan University Athletics

Irma Garcia headshot

Irma Garcia

Irma Garcia began her tenure as Manhatta University's Director of Athletics on August 1, 2023. Garcia's appointment in Riverdale follows her tenure as Director of Athletics at St. Francis College, where she became the first latina ever to lead a Division I Athletics Department in 2007. 

In her short time at Manhattan, Garcia’s wealth of experience and trailblazing spirit has benefited the department in a variety of ways. 

Garcia was appointed to the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Committee on July 1, 2024 and her appointment will run until Aug. 31, 2029. Garcia's appointment makes her the first ever administrator from the MAAC to work on the committee in the conference's 43-year history.

"I am thrilled to be selected as the MAAC representative on the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Committee," Garcia said at the time. "This is without question an opportunity to elevate Manhattan College, our conference and Division I men's basketball. I'm excited to get started working alongside my fellow committee members.”

Garcia is currently one of 12 members of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Committee which oversees a host of protocols and procedures related to the sport's championships. Among their responsibilities, Garcia and her peers will be responsible for determining the 68-team bracket for the NCAA D1 Men's Basketball Tournament. The group also finalizes plans for future NCAA Tournament sites, among other responsibilities. 


Under Garcia’s leadership, 200 MAAC All-Academic Team honors were handed out to Manhattan student-athletes during the 2023-2024 academic year. Both the men’s and women’s swimming & diving programs were recognized on the Scholar All-America Team determined by The College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association (CSCAA). The women’s basketball program also carried on their academic excellence by posting a department-high 3.7 GPA for the Spring 2024 semester. On the field, the men’s lacrosse program retained its status as an annual contender in the MAAC by advancing to the conference championship game in 2024. The MAAC Lacrosse Championships were hosted by Manhattan in Garcia’s first year at the helm. 

Garcia’s department oversaw individual accolades during the 2023-2024 academic year as well. Men’s lacrosse senior goalkeeper Connor Hapward was bestowed the Joseph J. Gunn Alumni Medal, which is regarded as the most prestigious undergraduate honor at the College. Additionally, the men’s lacrosse program also saw Kyle Gucwa named a United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) Scholar All-American for the first time in the program’s history. Lastly, senior hammer thrower RJ Decker finished in 17th place nationally in the men’s hammer throw competition at the 2024 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. 

Garcia has successfully launched the campaign to add three new varsity sports for the 2025-2026 academic year. The additions of men’s volleyball, women’s golf, and women’s acrobatics and tumbling will bring the amount of varsity sports offered to 21.

While at St. Francis, Garcia served in several capacities: head women's basketball coach (1988-1999), associate athletics director (1999-2007), and athletics director (2007-2023).  

She significantly expanded the Terriers’ athletic offerings by adding women's soccer and men's volleyball ahead of the 2019-2020 academic year. Her leadership was instrumental in securing seven new facility partnerships, including providing the men's soccer team a new home at Pier 5 in Brooklyn Bridge Park. Under her guidance, the men's soccer team earned NCAA berths in 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2021. The women's basketball team at St. Francis also flourished under Garcia's leadership, capturing their first NEC championship in 2015.  Moreover, over 40 St. Francis student-athletes advanced to professional athletic careers during her time in Brooklyn.

Her contributions to college athletics have been widely recognized; she was named the NACDA Administrator of the Year in 2015, NACWAA Administrator of the Year in 2015, ECAC Administrator of the Year in 2015, and the 2023 Distinguished Service Award recipient handed out by the Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association. Additionally, she received the "40 for 40" Title IX Award in 2012 and the "Mujeres Destacadas" Award in 2010. 

Garcia resides in the St. Francis College Athletic Hall of Fame and was the first female inducted into the Basketball Old-Timers of America Hall Fame as a member of the Class of 2023. 

Garcia's influence extends beyond her roles in athletics administration. She has been involved with numerous national and local organizations, including the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NCADA), the Minority Opportunities Athletic Association (MOAA), the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU), and the Public Schools Athletic League (PSAL). She is also a prominent member of Women Leaders in College Sports, formerly known as NACWAA.

Garcia graduated from St. Francis College in 1980 and played four seasons on the Terriers women’s basketball team.

Garcia's dedication, leadership, and pioneering spirit continue to inspire and pave the way for future generations in collegiate athletics.
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