PEMBROKE – UNC Pembroke Chancellor Robin Gary Cummings announced Monday evening that Dr. Jessica Siegele, an assistant professor in the College of Health Sciences, has been named Faculty Athletics Representative (FAR).
 
The FAR serves as the liaison between the university and the athletics department on issues regarding rules compliance, developments at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), and activities related to Conference Carolinas and Mountain East Conference (MEC) membership. The position was previously held by Dr. Kevin Freeman who announced his retirement in May.
 
"Dr. Siegele's field of expertise as a member of the faculty, as well as her first hand knowledge of what an athletics experience can do for a student, makes her a strong advocate for our programs moving forward," said UNCP Chancellor Dr. Robin Cummings. "I am very appreciative for Dr. Freeman's service all of these years, and everything he has done to serve our student-athletes."
 
Siegele has served as a faculty member in the Department of Kinesiology since 2018 and has been immersed in service opportunities since arriving on campus. She is an assistant professor in the Department of Kinesiology, and also serves as the Recreation and Sport Administration Track Advisor for the department as well. Her committee experience on campus includes time on the College of Health Sciences Faculty Development Committee, the Faculty Research Advisory Committee and the University Athletic Committee.
 
"I am grateful for the opportunity to serve UNCP and the athletics department in the role of Faculty Athletics Representative," Siegele said. "I look forward to working with the coaches, administrators and faculty to advance both the academic and athletic goals of the University."
 
In addition to her duties as an instructor, Siegele has also authored or co-authored several articles for professional journals, and has made several presentations at professional conferences across the United States and Canada. She also serves on the editorial review board of the Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics.
 
Siegele earned a bachelor's degree in business administration with majors in both marketing and management from Kentucky in 2005, and earned a pair of master's degrees in both business administration and sport business management from Central Florida in 2007. She completed an additional master's degree program in kinesiology and health promotion at California (Pa.) in 2010, and then went on to earn her doctorate of philosophy in kinesiology and sport studies at Tennessee in 2018.
 
A two-time all-American at Kentucky from 2001-05, Siegele exited Lexington, Ky., with school records in a pair of individual events, as well as two relay events. A four-time member of the Southeastern Conference Academic Honor Roll, she also earned the program's Best Freshman award in 2002 and was named the UK athletics department's State Farm Scholar-Athlete of the Month amid her senior campaign as well.
 
Following an illustrious career as a student-athlete, Siegele attained assistant coaching stints at four different collegiate institutions, an international organization and a USA Swimming club organization in Fayetteville. She also took on an internship as the event manager with the United States Association of Blind Athletes in 2007.
 
Siegele and her husband have two children, Maximilian and Mathias.
 
 
 
Dick Christy, Director of Athletics
"While having the opportunity to work alongside Dr. Siegele in our Kinesiology Department, it has been evident that she appreciates the rigors of what our coaches and student-athletes face on a day-to-day basis. She is collaborative in working towards solutions that are advantageous for all involved, and I'm excited at the opportunity to now work with her in this capacity."
 
Dr. Kevin Freeman, Faculty Athletics Representative (2017-22)
"Dr. Siegele is a fantastic choice to serve as the next FAR. Her experience as a student-athlete gives her an invaluable perspective when working with current ones. Couple this with her empathy, her work ethic and her research agenda, and I believe that UNCP Athletics is in perfect hands moving forward. I am truly excited about this choice."