Terrance Jones was named Southern Connecticut State University's seventh Director of Athletics & Recreation in December 2023. Entering his fourth academic year in 2026-27, Jones guided the Owls to a successful 2025-26 season that saw the Owls capture eight Northeast 10 Conference Championships and two NCAA Regional Championships.
2025-26 also saw 12 Owls earn All-American honors and a pair of NCAA "firsts" as gymnastics featured a student-athlete on the national stage for the first time in 29 years and women's lacrosse secured a NCAA Regional At-Large bid for the first in program history. In addition, Jones has been a driving force in the support of Southern Connecticut's 13 club sports teams as well as recreation and intramural programs.
Academically, Jones has directed Southern's 500-plus student-athletes to academic excellence as 70% of student-athletes carry a cumulative grade-point average of 3.00-or-higher.
Socially, Jones has pushed SCSU's programs to continue the practice of engaging the community. In 2025-26, the Owls combined for over 50 community engagement activities including Girls & Women In Sports Day, Take Back The Night, SCSU Campus Clean Up, Trunk or Treat, the Read Aloud program with Barack Obama Elementary School as well as assisting with the annual freshman move-in at the start of the academic year.
Jones was also instrumental in the expansion of partnerships, sponsorship and fundraising in 2025-26. Southern secured benchmark corporate sponsorship success in addition to fundraising ventures - including the first-ever Car Raffle that netted over $100,000. In total, Southern raised over $430,000 in 2025-26. In addition, Jones also negotiated a partnership with CT United, a MLS Next Pro organization entering its inaugural season, that will train at Jess Dow Field and James Moore Field House. In 2025, he resurrected the SCSU Athletics Hall of Fame, hosting the first induction ceremony since 2018 at The Vue in Hamden, Conn. Jones has also been instrumental in restructuring the Hall of Fame committee for future recognition events.
Jones also oversaw several facility enhancements. In 2025-26, Jess Dow Field was outfitted with a state-of-the-art video board through a partnership with Digital Scoreboards, LLC. In addition, Jones coordinated efforts in the renaming of the Jess Dow Field Press Box to the Rob Parker Press Box. In 2026-27, Jones will launch the dedication of a new video board in the Hutchinson Natatorium dedicated posthumously to late head coach Tim Quill. In addition, Jones will also coordinate the installation of a new indoor track at James Moore Field House as well as upgrades to the sports medicine room and strength & conditioning room.
In 2024-25, Southern was also honored with the 2025 NCAA/MOAA Award for Diversity & Inclusion at the NCAA National Convention. The award recognizes and celebrates one school per division for initiatives, policies and practices that embrace diversity and inclusion across the intercollegiate athletics community.
Jones came to New Haven from Jackson State University in Jackson, Miss. where he held the title of Assistant Athletic Director for External Operations and Stadium Management since 2022. At Jackson State, Jones hosted a variety of responsibilities in support of the Tigers including revenue generation, fundraising, stadium operations and the installation of a new ticket system that resulted in a 40% increase in ticket and game day revenue in the first year. Additionally, Jones devoted time to constant engagement of the Tigers’ fan base to stimulate revenue generation and made multiple appearances across various media platforms in advocacy of JSU’s revenue generation goals.
Prior to his time at Jackson State, Jones served as the Deputy Director of Athletics at Alabama State University in Montgomery, Ala. At ASU, he oversaw the day-to-day operations of the department, served as the departmental liaison with the external partners, and was charged with the development of revenue generation and sports oversight. He monitored and assisted in managing budgets for various sports and provided hands-on leadership to the ASU External Operations Units and University Development, respectively. He also managed human resource operations of the department and conducted head coaching and staffing searches for the Hornet sports programs.
During his tenure, ASU won 43 Southwestern Athletic Conference championships, three consecutive commissioner cups, and two conference academic awards for highest GPA.
Jones also served in leadership roles at North Carolina Central University as the Associate Athletic Director of Marketing & Promotions and Delaware State University as the Assistant Marketing Director. At both institutions, Jones served on the Senior Leadership Team to implement marketing strategy, enhance fan experience as well as sponsorship, development, external operations, student spirit groups, brand enhancement and special events.
Jones is extensively involved in several professional sports organizations including the National Association of Athletics Development Directors (NAADD), National Association of Collegiate Marketing Administrators (NACMA), National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and Minority Opportunities Athletic Association (MOAA). He is also a graduate of the NCAA Dr. Charles Whitcombe Leadership Institute and a recipient of the NACDA U Senior Administrator Grant. He has participated in the TopConnect AD seminar in 2021 and the NCAA Emerging Leaders Seminar. In 2020, he was recognized by North Carolina Central University as an inductee into the 40 Under 40 Alumni Association. In 2025-26, he also became a certified mental health first responder.
Jones graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s in recreation/sports management and a master’s in public administration from North Carolina Central University and is currently in the process of completing a doctoral degree in education leadership from Delaware State University.
What They're Saying About Terrance Jones
Dr. Dwayne Smith // Interim President, Southern Connecticut State University
"I am very pleased to announce the appointment of Terrance Jones as the new Director of Athletics and Recreation at Southern Connecticut State University, following a national search. Terrance brings a proven leadership background to the position, with many years spent as an athletics administrator. He will use this experience to elevate our programs and enhance the academic, personal, and competitive excellence of our scholar-athletes.
As you know, Southern's athletic program is highly competitive within the Northeast 10 Conference and has regularly earned team and individual titles at the national Division II level. Southern also has a robust program of club sports, intramurals, fitness, and recreation. With this new leadership hire we are seeking to build on these accomplishments and grow the programs in myriad ways.
These include enhancing alumni engagement, growing external revenue production and bringing more Owl spirit to campus by further integrating athletics and recreation into the life of the university. Athletics will also play a key role in our university wide efforts to build enrollment, and improve our retention and graduation rates, as outlined in the university's new, five-year strategic plan.
In advancing these goals, I believe that Southern athletics and recreation will be well-served by Terrance's proven ability to balance leadership and management, along with his commitment to providing high-quality, impactful student experiences and developing strong community support."
Tracy Tyree // Vice President for Student Affairs, Southern Connecticut State University
"Terrance brings a proven leadership background to the position, with many years spent as an athletics administrator and he will use this experience to elevate our programs and enhance the academic, personal, and competitive excellence of our scholar-athletes."
Melvin Hines // Senior Associate Athletic Director/Chief Operation Officer, Morgan State University
"Congratulations to Terrance and Southern Connecticut. Terrance is a very forward-thinking individual that prepares for the ever changing landscape in college athletics. He was a great asset while working at Alabama State in helping elevate Alabama State social, media and digital platforms. Furthermore, transforming the marketing and promotions department which lead to increased ticket sales. Terrance is a rising star in collegiate athletics."
Ingrid Wicker McCree, Ed.D. // Consultant, The Pictor Group
"I am extremely excited for Terrance to have this opportunity to share his vast experiences in higher education, specifically, intercollegiate athletics, with the Southern Connecticut State University family. Terrance is articulate and passionate about student-athlete success and well-being, and this is what will help propel the student-athlete experience. I had the privilege of working with Terrance and saw first-hand his resourcefulness in getting the job done. From his role as a graduate assistant to a Deputy Athletics Director, he has been very intentional in his journey to the AD seat. Southern Connecticut State University made a phenomenal hire in Terrance Jones!"
