ORANGE, Calif. – After 23 years at Chapman University, including the last 10 years as the Director of Athletics, Terry Boesel has announced that he will retire in August.

"The greatest privilege of my time at Chapman has been getting to know the incredible student-athletes, coaches and staff," Boesel said. "I am grateful to have been part of this Chapman family as we celebrated championships and grew through defeats. I am looking forward to my next chapter and will continue to cheer on Chapman Athletics."

"When I chose Terry to be our athletics director a decade ago, I knew he would elevate our athletics program on and off the fields of play," adds President Daniele Struppa. "Under his leadership, the students who choose to wear the Panther jersey have become campus leaders and successful alumni who embody what it truly means to be called a student-athlete."  

Under Boesel's leadership, Chapman Athletics has found an abundance of success. In 2019, the Chapman baseball team claimed the seventh team national championship in Chapman Athletics' history and the third Division III title in Chapman history.

The Panthers have won 13 SCIAC titles during Boesel's tenure as AD with seven different programs claiming at least one SCIAC Championship. The 2019 football team had its best season when the Panthers put together an undefeated regular season and hosted both the First and Second Round games of the NCAA Division III Football Championship.

"Terry's leadership has empowered thousands of student-athletes representing Chapman University to achieve their sports and academic ambitions," said President-elect Matt Parlow. "He understands and leverages the power of Division III athletics in helping our students thrive in the classroom, on their teams, in the community, and in their futures."

Chapman student-athletes have also put up record-breaking numbers academically over the last 10 years. The 600-plus student-athletes have maintained a 3.4 department GPA over the last several years with well over 300 earning SCIAC All-Academic honors. During Boesel's tenure, Chapman has had its first-ever NCAA Woman of the Year finalist and first-ever NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship recipient.

"Terry will certainly be missed at Chapman as a colleague, a mentor, and a leader," commented Senior Vice President for University Advancement Amy Rogan-Mehta. "His mentorship has helped shape the lives of so many in his decades-long involvement in higher education. Terry has also been a tremendous colleague. With an unending dedication to our athletics program, Terry's passion is contagious, and he never passes up an opportunity to engage others in supporting our student-athletes."

He became the ninth Director of Athletics in Chapman's 100-plus year history on August 1, 2015. His decade-long run as AD was the final step of his journey at Chapman that began in 1992 when he first came to campus to join the men's basketball coaching staff under former head coach Mike Bokosky.

Boesel stayed until 1995 and joined the coaching staff for the football team's inaugural season in 1994. He left to become the Head Coach of the men's basketball team at the University of La Verme – his first of two stints as the Leopards' Head Coach.

He turned his career toward an administrative role in 2006 and returned to Chapman as the Associate Director of Athletics in 2006 under his predecessor and Chapman Hall of Famer Dave Currey. As the Associate Director of Athletics, he handled all matters relating to NCAA rules, legislation, compliance, and eligibility, among other duties.

From his role as Associate AD to his current role as the Director of Athletics, Boesel was instrumental in Chapman gaining membership and thriving in the SCIAC. He assisted Currey in former Chapman President Jim Doti through the application process and was integral in adding women's golf, men's track & field, men's swimming & diving and women's lacrosse to bring Chapman in alignment with sport sponsorship in the SCIAC.

During his tenure as AD, Boesel oversaw the opening of a new athletic facility – the Anderson Tennis Center. He also helped Chapman navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic. He guided Chapman to be one of four SCIAC institutions to be able to return to play in the spring of 2021.

As he enters his next phase, Boesel and his wife will be retiring to South Carolina to be closer to their two daughters and four granddaughters.

Chapman will have an Interim Director of Athletics for the 2025-26 school year in preparation for a national search.