UMass Lowell Athletics

(2003) - A member of the UMass Lowell faculty for 32 years, Dr. Jan Stecchi has been an advocate of the athletic department through her involvement on several committees while watching her sons play for the then-Chiefs football team in the 1980's.

Since coming to the University in 1971 as an instructor, Stecchi has been a member of the University's Athletic Committee for 25 years, presiding over issues such as Title IX, the addition and reduction of athletic programs, budget issues and the construction of the Campus Recreation Center. Stecchi has also been a member of the Lowell Arena and Stadium Commission since its inception in 1995 and assisted in the construction and usage of the palatial Paul E. Tsongas Arena and Edward A. LeLacheur Park.

Additionally, Stecchi served as Chancellor William Hogan's representative on the Northeast-10 Conference Presidents Council from 2000-03 when the University became a member of the conference.

Stecchi's three sons - David, Bill and Joe - were each members of the UML football team during the 1980's. Bill Stecchi, a quarterback, still holds the school records for passing yards in a game (336) and once held the record for single game completions (28). Stecchi's husband, Dave, coached football and track and field at Dracut High School for 35 years.

After 20 years as a faculty member and five as Chair of the Department of Nursing, Stecchi became the Dean of the College of Health Sciences in 1991 and has held the distinction since. Outside the UMass Lowell community, Stecchi serves as the Chair of the Board of Trustees of Saints Memorial Medical Center, and is the first woman to hold the position. She was also the recipient of the 2002 Outstanding Alumni Award from Boston University School of Education.

A native of Dracut, MA, Stecchi retired from the University in June 2003.