Bridget Belgiovine
B.S.Ed., Trenton State College, NJ
M.S., Springfield College, MA
Bridget serves as the Director of Athletics and Chair of the Department of Physical Education, Recreation and Athletics (PERA). Her role includes oversight of all facets of an academic department that serves 2,300 Wellesley students including 13 NCAA Division III varsity sports, a Physical Education program required for graduation, and a recreation program with events ranging from Dorm and Class Crew, to aerobics and Pilates classes, to fun runs. Consistent with its Statement of Purpose: PERA is the catalyst for all students to learn, play compete and achieve a healthy balanced life, her mission is to fully integrate the department and its programs into the life of students, stressing the importance of fitness and health in a strong liberal arts education.
Bridget comes to Wellesley after serving as NCAA Director of Division III. In that role, she was instrumental in the governance of Division III collegiate athletics and earned a national reputation as a visionary, energetic, and effective leader. She also served six years as a highly regarded and successful Director of Athletics at the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse. During her tenure, UW-LaCrosse was recognized five times as the conference program with the highest grade point average of its student-athletes and four times as the All-Sports recipient for the most successful program within the Wisconsin Athletic Conference. Belgiovine began her career as a physical education and health teacher and field hockey coach at the high school level before becoming Assistant Athletic Director/Assistant Professor at Springfield College.
Her commitment to education and leadership is etched in several national organizations and community activities. She is a member, served on the board of directors and was President of the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletic Administrators. She serves on the executive committee of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics, helped establish the Collegiate Events and Facilities Management Association (CEFMA) and serves as a member of the Directors Cup committee. Her involvement with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is extensive, including representation on the Championships Committee, Management Council, and Executive Committee serving as vice-president for Division III. In 1990 she was Games Director of the Massachusetts Special Olympics and in 2001 coordinated opening ceremonies for the World Police and Fire Games hosted in Indiana. She received a Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow in 1993, YWCA Outstanding Woman in Sport tribute in 1995, High School Hall of Fame award in 2002, NACWAA Administrator of the Year in 2003 and Springfield College Distinguished Alumna Award in 2007. In 1998 she was honored with an endowed scholarship in her name awarded annually to a graduate student in sports administration at the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse. Bridget has also been active with community programs including the Girl Scouts, Indiana Sports Corporation and the Women’s Sports Foundation, Boston GoGirlGo program.
Bridget enjoys watching students and coaches perform, as well as reading, walking, golf and entertaining colleagues, family and friends.
