St. Paul’s School for Girls’ Erin Howland named IAAM Athletic Director of the Year

by Nelson Coffin
nelson@iaamsports.com

There are a variety of reasons why Erin Howland loves being the St. Paul’s School for Girls Athletic Director.

“There are new challenges coming at you every day,” said Howland, in her ninth year in the position. “That what makes it so much fun.”

Athletics have been a big part of Howland’s life, as a three-sport athlete at Maryvale (field hockey, basketball, lacrosse) and a First Team All-American and team captain of the 1993 NCAA champion Virginia lacrosse team. She was also a member of the Cavaliers’ 1991 title-winning team.

That positive tradition has continued at St. Paul’s, which has claimed 17 IAAM crowns during her tenure for a program that features 28 sports between its middle and upper schools.

Her peers, who voted Howland as the 2024 Maryland State Athletic Directors Association IAAM Athletic Director of the Year, have noticed what she brings to an organization celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.

Howland, who also serves as the IAAM president after a two-year stint as its vice president, said that she was very much surprised by the award.

“It’s such an honor, considering the circle of great athletic directors I work with,” she said. “I have been blessed. It’s been a really wonderful journey to be a part of the St. Paul’s community. It’s a great place to work and I love being here.”

For one thing, she knows what coaches and players are going through in a typical season, having been an assistant lacrosse coach at Loyola Maryland, James Madison University and George Mason University after guiding Maryvale to the 2002 IAAM A Conference lacrosse title.

It was at Loyola Maryland where she learned about budgeting and scheduling, although Howland added that knowing those parts of the job did not prepare her for the wide range of issues she would face at St. Paul’s.

In essence, she said that a major portion of the job is to support her players and coaches by hearing their concerns.

“In sports, people get emotional,” said Howland, a 2005 Greater Baltimore Chapter of US Lacrosse Hall of Fame inductee. “So you have to be empathetic, and you have to be a good listener who tries to understand both sides (of an issue).”

She said that her staff, assistant Sam Murray, trainer Sarah Molinaro and facilities team member Steve Boardman, make her life so much easier.

“I couldn’t do it without them,” she added.

Working closely with IAAM Executive Director Sue Thompson has also been a winning proposition from an administrative perspective.

“We have a great partnership in the IAAM,” she said.

Thompson said that Howland “is involved and invested in our league and St. Paul’s School for Girls, and her colleagues consistently witness that.

“From the league’s perspective, Erin brings a level of professionalism that we all benefit from. She brings excellent ideas to the table, is forward-thinking and is a wizard in providing contacts for our ongoing professional development.  Erin also serves as Sport Chair for golf and, an avid golfer herself, is always working to improve our efforts during the season and for our postseason tournament. It’s all about the girls and their experience. Erin is an excellent President of our league; she addresses areas of concern head-on and with respect; she currently serves on the IAAM Board of Governors, the Executive Committee and the Competition Committee.”