Carl Christian was named Interim CUNY Athletic Conference Executive Director, effective July 1, 2022.
In addition to overseeing the daily operations of the Conference office, Carl will work with the Presidents Athletic Council and campus Athletic Directors to determine and advance the Conference’s long-term strategy and vision. As we conduct a national search for the permanent commissioner, Carl will also collaborate with member campuses to enhance the student-athlete experience and will provide thought leadership on all Conference matters.
Since 2017, Carl has served within the Athletics Department at York College. He was named Director of Athletics at York in 2021 after leading the department as the Interim Director since September 2019. Carl had served as York's Associate Athletic Director for Compliance/Internal Operations since 2017. As York’s Athletics Director, Carl secured York College’s reinstatement as a full NCAA member by meeting critical deadlines and requirements. He also advanced athletics facilities upgradesincluding the design and restoration of a $12 million-dollar outdoor track and turf soccer field complex, and he supported efforts to secure a public/private partnership with Queensborough FC, USL expansion team, to develop a 7,500 seat, soccer-specific stadium on campus.
Prior to his tenure at York, Carl worked at Queens College, where he gained over 15 years of experience in the athletics, coaching & recreation field. At Queens College, he served as the Assistant Director of Recreation, Intramurals, Aquatics & the Fitness Center. His responsibilities included the management of the fitness center and their intramural programs. He also helped to cultivate community-based relationships with various local organizations, such as NYC Parks Department, and expanded outreach programs for the institution.
Carl also directed the Queens College men’s and women’s soccer programs, serving as head coach of the women’s team from 2008-2016 and leading the men’s program from 2011-2017. In addition to their many successes on the field, both the men’s and women’s teams earned consecutive United Soccer Coaches (formerly National Soccer Coaches Association of America – NSCAA) Team Academic Awards.
Carl has coached for the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) Olympic Development Program (ODP) since 2012, and has served as a US Open Cup Match Commissioner for US Soccer. He is a member of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and the National Association of Division III Athletic Administrators (NADIIIAA) and has received National, Advanced National, and Premier Coaching Diplomas from United Soccer Coaches (formerly NSCAA).
A CUNY alumnus, Carl earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from Queens College and was a four-year member of the men’s soccer team, earning All-Conference & All-Region recognition, and scoring over 50 goals in his collegiate career. He also played in the U.S. Open Cup Final, which was the highest professional soccer tournament at the time in the United States.