UPenn's Steve Dolan Named Director Of The Penn Relays

* The Penn Relays announced the appointment of Steve Dolan, the new Penn Relays Meet Director, on Thursday

Photo Credit: University of Pennsylvania athletics 

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The Penn Relays have a new Director.

And the name should sound familiar, as the University of Pennsylvania's Steve Dolan, currently the Director of Track and Field and Cross Country at the Ivy League university, will assume duties after the retirement of Dave Johnson, who left his post with the Penn Relays in 2020. 

"As the former long-time Executive Director of the Penn Relays, it gives me great pleasure to name Steve Dolan as our next director," said Alanna Shanahan, the Director of Athletics and Recreation at Penn.

"Steve has the vision and experience to take this nationally and internationally recognized event and make it even more impactful. By continuing in his role with Penn track & field, there will be greater alignment between the varsity programs and the Relays, benefitting both programs immensely."

"I also want to thank Dave Johnson for his decades of service to Penn and Penn Relays," Shanahan continued.

"The Relays are in a better place in 2021 due to Dave's leadership, care and love of this event for more than three decades in an official capacity, and many more as a fan and contributor."

Dolan has been leading the Quakers' track and field and cross country programs since 2012. 

"I am honored by the opportunity to help lead the next chapter of the Penn Relays and humbled to follow Dave Johnson with this responsibility," Dolan said. "Dave did an outstanding job both developing and leading the Penn Relays over the last twenty-six years as the event director.

"As we look to the future, I am inspired to work with Alanna and Scott Ward (Senior Associate Athletic Director, Chief Operations Officer / Executive Director of the Penn Relays) to build on the incredible history of the event. Having attended the Penn Relays over the last three decades and as both a coach and a parent, I am keenly aware of the profound positive impact this event has on so many people."

The 2022 installment of the famed event will stream exclusively on FloTrack.