Bethel University names new athletic director
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Bethel University has named a former college coach and administrator with more recent experience as a fundraiser as its new athletic director.
Jason Lewkowicz assumes the role July 1, the university announced this week.
He will succeed Tony Natali, who has served Bethel University for 26 years, including six as athletic director. Natali is staying on as a consultant over the next school year to aid in the transition, the university said in April.
“I am thrilled to welcome Jason Lewkowicz as Bethel University’s new athletic director,” Shawn Holtgren, vice president for spiritual life and university relations, said in a news release. “His wealth of experience and a deep commitment to nurturing student-athletes both on and off the field aligns perfectly with our mission.”
From 2022-2024, Lewkowicz helped oversee the athletic department at Montreat College in North Carolina as senior associate director. He also served as the director of men’s and women’s cross country/track and field from 2015-2024.
In his career Lewkowicz has served as a resident director at Appalachian State and Baylor University and as director of residence life at the University of Virginia’s College at Wise. He also coached men’s and women’s cross country and track at Hannibal-LaGrange University in Missouri and Eastern Mennonite University in Virginia.
Since July, he has been serving as the director of philanthropy at Givens Communities, an operator of retirement communities based in Asheville, North Carolina.
“It is a privilege and honor to be named the next athletic director at Bethel University,” Lewkowicz said. “It became evident to me very quickly that Bethel was a special place with special people. I am excited to join in the important work being done there and to serve our coaches and staff by leading an athletic department that is Christ-centered, relationally driven and competitively excellent.”
Lewkowicz has a master’s degree in higher education administration and a bachelor’s degree in history-secondary education, both from Appalachian State University.