Otterbein University officially announced Gregory Lott, Ph.D., as its next Director of Athletics on July 10, 2023 following a national search.
Lott comes to Otterbein after a successful stint at nearby Denison University, where he served as director of the Knetzer Family Institute for Development through Sport, associate director of athletics, and assistant professor of health, exercise, and sport studies.
"I was blown away by the welcoming community at Otterbein. It's clear that the University is a special place, one that values the integral part sport can play in the holistic education of its students. There are exciting things happening all around campus, providing great potential for athletics to partner with many for the betterment of all students," Lott said.
As an athletics administrator, Lott has a record of success in managing sport operations, with direct supervision of Division III teams. Academically, he has taught courses in leadership development and sport psychology and has conducted research into emotional intelligence and mental health of student-athletes.
He has been a head coach at the NCAA Division III level and assistant coach at the Division I and III levels and has coached a national champion and many individual and team conference champions. His coaching credits include Army-West Point, The National Training Center, Valparaiso University, and Buffalo State College. He was also the head coach for men's and women's cross country and track and field at the United States Merchant Marine Academy. Currently, he is chair of the NCAA Coach Enhancement Grant Selection Committee.
Lott was a star Division III student-athlete through his time in track and field at Dickinson College (Pa.) where he was a team captain, All-American, and eventual Hall of Famer. He went on to compete as a professional on the European Circuit and with Team USA at the International Freedom and Friendship Games.
"The tradition in the department of Otterbein Athletics is special. I noticed so much passion in our exceptional group of coaches and administrators — pride for where they have been and excitement about where we can go. I am humbled to join the team as we strive to enhance the organizational culture, the student-athlete experience, and the competitive result," Lott added.
In January, Lott began serving as one of 29 Global Mentors selected from countries around the world for the True Athlete Project, a uniquely holistic athlete development program based out of the U.K. that connects aspiring elite-level young athletes with current/former world-class athletes and coaches. The program uses mindfulness, mental skills training, mentoring, and more to nurture mental wellbeing and improve performance of athletes.
In the summer of 2023, Lott traveled to the United Kingdom for work with British Gymnastics, leading a coach development program and partnering with the True Athlete Project on work with British Gymnastics's leadership and gymnastic team members.
Lott has a doctorate degree in kinesiology, focusing on sport management and higher education, from The Ohio State University; master's degree in sport administration from Canisius College, NY; and bachelor's degree in international business and management, Dickinson College, PA. He has numerous publications and is a sought-after speaker both in the U.S. and abroad.
He serves as chair of the Board of Trustees for the Granville Recreation District and is a member of the Coach Development Team for Sport Coach America.
Lott and his wife, Melanie, have two sons - Trevor and Cameron. Melanie is an associate professor of physics at Denison and was inducted into the school's Hall of Fame (2019) as a decorated hurdler in track and field.
