University of Regina hires athletics director

The University of Regina announced Wednesday that Lisa Robertson has agreed to become its new director of sport, community engagement and athlete development.

Robertson will be responsible for directing and developing the U of R Cougars athletics programs and to “consider the recommendations outlined in the recently completed athletic review.”

“I am pleased to be able to welcome Lisa to the University of Regina community and look forward to the leadership she will provide to the range of sport and athletics programming offered at the university,” said Harold Riemer, the dean of the U of R’s faculty of kinesiology and health studies. “She will be a strong addition to the faculty’s leadership team and is a dynamic individual who will work very collaboratively to build on positive work that has been done over the last number of years.”

Robertson, who officially begins the job Sept. 1, spent the past two years as associate director of the Olympic Oval in Calgary. She previously spent 18 years in the athletic department at the University of Calgary, most recently serving as director of development from 2012 to 2015.

Robertson played for the U of C women’s basketball team from 1990 to 1995, winning a Canada West title in 1991. She was named a Canada West second-team allstar three times and a first-team all-star on one occasion.

“My family and I are very excited for this new opportunity,” Robertson said in a media release.

“I’ve dedicated my career to sport and this is a great opportunity for me to use my talents in an area that I’m passionate. After working in varsity sport for 18 years with the Calgary Dinos and being away from it for two years, I can’t wait to be back, especially in Canada West.”

The U of R had been without a permanent director of athletics since Dick White’s retirement in December of 2014 after 19 years on the job. Over the past 2 ½ years, Curtis Atkinson and Tanya Reynoldson have each filled the role on an interim basis.