Decades of dedication: looking back on leadership in Chapman’s athletic department

David Currey, Chapman’s former director of athletics, was recently awarded the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) Distinguished Service Award for his dedication to the Chapman community during his 25 years working on campus. He is highly respected for his instrumental changes he made to the athletic department. 

In 30 years, Chapman Athletic Directors David Currey and Terry Boesel have taken the athletic department to soaring heights. Photo courtesy of Steven Olveda.

Over the last 30 years, Chapman’s Athletics Department has seen tremendous growth under the tender guidance of Currey as well as his successor and current athletic director, Terry Boesel.

When Currey first took the helm in 1990, he began to transition the athletic department from National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II to NCAA Division III. 

“That was a huge move,” said Terry Boesel, who succeeded Currey in the role of athletic director. “Making that move created a broader-base program where you could offer more opportunities for more student-athletes, which is kind of the Division III philosophy.” 

At that time, the department offered only nine sports and saw participation from around 150 athletes. Today, Chapman has 21 sports and just under 500 athletes, according to Boesel. 

Boesel took charge as the associate director of athletics in 2006, acting as Currey’s right-hand man. Currey, who had unsuccessfully tried to gain membership to compete in the SCIAC for 12 years, ultimately was offered admission in 2011 with Boesel’s help. The feat marked the end of a 17-year endeavor by Currey, and further, it catalyzed a new chapter for Chapman Athletics. 

In 2015, Currey retired and Boesel took over as the new director of athletics. Since then, Boesel has also recognized women’s golf as an official sport on campus and garnered considerable respect for his dedication to the athletic department. His presence has played a large role in the development of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) on campus. 

Boesel is grateful for his time working under Currey, describing him as “the best” and someone who “treated people right and had a great sense of humor.” 

He believes these traits are what have kept many of Chapman’s coaches here for so long — some as long as thirty years. 

Women’s soccer coach Courtney Calderon, who started her coaching career under Currey 18 seasons ago and has continued it under Boesel, expressed admiration for both leaders. 

“Both (Currey and Boesel’s) leadership has put all of us in such a positive place,” said Calderon, in acknowledgment of the hardships both directors faced during their time in the role. 

Currey was tasked with building the Lastinger Athletic Complex, while Boesel was faced with navigating the uncharted waters of COVID-19. Their solid leadership is backed by long-standing athletic careers as both players and coaches.

“They understand us coaches, they understand our athletes, they understand what it takes; so, when you go in with issues, they truly do see both sides,” Calderon said. 

Boesel plans to keep this culture of support and empathy alive throughout the rest of his tenure at Chapman while prioritizing the continuation of the sports Chapman currently offers.