In October 2022, Cedar Crest College welcomed Christy Malone Fleagle as the new director of athletics. Fleagle is an accomplished leader in athletics, with 12 years of experience in administration and 17 years of collegiate coaching experience.
She comes to Cedar Crest from Neumann University where she served as the associate athletic director for compliance and student services, as well as the senior women’s administrator. Fleagle also served as the head women’s lacrosse coach at Neumann for eight years, leading the team to four consecutive Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) championship games and an impressive overall record.
Get to know the new member of our Falcon Family:
What attracted you to this role at Cedar Crest?
I have known about Cedar Crest since my time as a college athlete, and I was always impressed by the College’s rich history of academic excellence. I played lacrosse at Cabrini College, and I can remember playing Cedar Crest in a Pennsylvania Athletic Conference (PAC) championship game my freshman year in 1998. I was able to capture the title as well as the MVP award. I remember being so impressed by the smart young women and strong players that graced the field on the Cedar Crest team.
What excites you most about joining the Cedar Crest Community?
I am excited about the opportunity for growth in Athletics at Cedar Crest. I enjoy working with college athletes, and I look forward to helping them pursue their goals in both academics and athletics.
What do you hope to accomplish at Cedar Crest?
I hope to bring in fresh ideas in recruiting and retention, bring great energy into a role that is so valuable to a campus community, learn more about Cedar Crest history, and get to know my amazing new colleagues. It’s an exciting time for Cedar Crest, and there are some wonderful projects coming up for Athletics.
I hope to help our athletes not only continue to succeed in the classroom, but to continue to elevate our level of play. I plan to help the College recruit the best high school athletes in the area and across the country. Finally, I look forward to supporting our staff and athletes in a way that drives them to stay motivated to improve and to expect the best of themselves.
What do you look for in a coach on your staff?
I look for someone who is extremely motivated and willing to learn different strategies of being a college coach. I look for a coach who cares and is willing to walk the walk. College athletics is a grind, and I do think that the coaches that are passionate, hungry, and intentional with their sports are the coaches that succeed and capture wins.
How does your experience as a student-athlete help in your role as an athletics administrator?
As a former student-athlete, I can 100 percent connect with our students’ journey through college. I can relate to their time management challenges and busy schedules. Being a student-athlete is a roller coaster ride — you have great moments of being able to successfully juggle all of your responsibilities, and you have moments when you need to lean on your team and coaches for support. I hope by sharing my experiences, I can help our athletes tackle any challenges that may come their way.
Who do you consider the biggest influences or role models in your life?
I have a couple. My family role model would be my mom, Teresa. She taught me unconditional love and how to be a good mom to my baby girls. She is love through and through! My husband Tom has also influenced me by his love for me and our children.
My college coach, Jackie has been a wonderful role model as well. She has taught me how to be a successful college coach while being a great mom. She has juggled raising four amazing children and working in higher education, all with grace.
Outside of work, what do you like to do for fun?
I love spending time with my family, my husband Tom, and my girls Tessa and Teagan. We love our Fleagle family time!
For more information about Athletics at Cedar Crest College, visit www.cedarcrestathletics.com.