BURLINGTON, Vt. – Alex Blanchard '14, who has been a member of the University of Vermont Athletic Department staff since 2016, has been promoted to Associate Director of Athletics for Internal Operations. University of Vermont Director of Athletics Jeff Schulman made the announcement Friday morning.
"This promotion is incredibly well deserved and recognizes both Alex's increased responsibilities and the important leadership role he plays in our department," stated Schulman. "Since first joining us as an undergraduate student employee and in his various professional roles since, Alex has earned the highest level of respect from colleagues both in our department and across campus as a result of his work ethic, commitment to excellence and passion for UVM."
In his role, Blanchard is responsible for the oversight of key internal units including event management, intercollegiate scheduling, athletic facilities and equipment operations. He was promoted to Assistant Athletic Director for Internal Operations in the fall of 2022.
Blanchard is heavily involved in the management of capital projects and major facility renovations, working with external consultants on project proposals, planning, estimates and construction management. Additionally, Blanchard is a member of the department's Senior Leadership team responsible for developing policy, and setting, implementing and monitoring the department's overall strategic direction.
He also supervises the men's lacrosse, cross-country and track and field programs. Hired as the Coordinator of Athletic Event Operations & Scheduling in 2016, Blanchard's primary duties included overseeing event operations, serving as the primary liaison to visiting teams and officials, supervising the department's event staff, assisting in scheduling of athletic contests, and administering game contracts.
Throughout his time in Catamount Country, Blanchard has successfully helped manage NCAA Men's Soccer Tournament games in 2016, 2021, 2023 and 2024, the America East Men's Basketball Championship games in 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, and 2024, the America East Women's Basketball Championship game in 2023, America East Men's Lacrosse Championships in 2022 and 2023, along with several of the Vermont Principles Association high school sports championships annually. Blanchard will also play a key role when UVM hosts the 2025 NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Frozen Four at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri.
Blanchard is a member of the Collegiate Event & Facility Management Association (CEFMA). Blanchard previously worked for USTA (United States Tennis Association) New England for two years, promoting tennis programming opportunities with community partners in Vermont and New Hampshire, including parks and recreation departments, indoor tennis facilities, schools, YMCAs, and Boys & Girls Clubs.
Blanchard graduated from UVM in 2014 with a B.S in Public Communication, and completed his M.Ed. in Educational Leadership in 2022. During his undergraduate career, he served on UVM's athletic event staff assisting in game-day operations and worked for the Vermont Lake Monsters baseball team, as a marketing intern.
Blanchard received the UVM Athletic Department Staff Excellence Award in 2018 for outstanding service and contributions to the department. A native of Essex Junction, Vermont, Blanchard lives in South Burlington, with his wife Meg.
