02/28/2024
By Julie Chen
Peter’s accomplishments during his many years at UML are vast, and are greatly appreciated by our entire community, most especially by the UML student athletes who left it all on the ice, fields and courts as proud River Hawks.
Peter arrived on campus more than 20 years ago and rose through the university ranks; from assistant athletics director to Director of Athletics Business Enterprises to Executive Director of Venue and Event Enterprises, then Deputy Athletic Director and, ultimately in 2018, achieving the role of Director of Athletics.
By far one of the biggest developments occurring during Peter’s significant service as the Deputy AD and the Director of Athletics was the transition of UMass Lowell athletics from Division II to Division I. This colossal shift in status required significant navigation, leadership, and vision at the local, regional and national levels, including the further enhancement of the already solid UML coaching staff as well as the recruitment of student athletes ready to compete for UML at the DI level. Peter Casey’s focus and determination was instrumental in each of these steps.
The upgrade of UMass Lowell’s athletic facilities was also part of the move to DI. In various roles across his tenure, Peter has overseen over $40 million in extensive renovations across multiple athletic facilities, including in improvements to both the Costello Athletic Center as well as the Tsongas Center and its transition to becoming a UMass Lowell facility.
Peter has been a steady presence at many in-season games and championship events. Peter also modeled for UML athletics staff and student athletes a commitment to the broader Lowell community, with participation in fundraising, food distributions and notable acts of outreach and service too numerous to count.
My acknowledgement and appreciation for Peter’s contributions are deeply felt during this moment of change.