Husson names Parsons as new athletic director after previous hire resigned

By Matt Junker, Bangor Daily News Staff

BANGOR — Husson University has unveiled a new athletic director for the second time this year, with the Bangor school announcing that Chris Parsons will start in the role later this month. 

Parsons most recently served as vice president for intercollegiate athletics at Thomas College in Waterville, according to Husson. He also has served as director of admissions and residential life at Foxcroft Academy.

“This is a very exciting opportunity for me,” Parsons said. “I’ve thought highly of Husson University and Husson Athletics for a long time. I am looking forward to working with the excellent coaches and staff as we move forward to continued success.”

Parsons will be the second new athletic director at Husson this year.

The university previously hired Amanda Nelson, who began the role on June 2. That same day, Husson placed her on administrative leave pending an investigation into a civil lawsuit in California. The suit named her as one of several defendants and accused her of “negligent hiring, supervision and retention” in her previous role as athletic director at a San Diego high school. 

Nelson told the Bangor Daily News on June 2 that the allegations in the suit were “completely false.” She then resigned on June 6, according to Husson. 

Chris Grotton, Husson’s vice president for student experience, has been serving as interim athletic director since early June. 

“Our athletics staff and coaches are excited about Chris Parsons becoming our next athletic director and eager to work with him as we continue to improve and refine Husson Athletics,” Grotton said. “He’s a thoughtful leader with the critical skills and experience that Husson needs.” 

Parsons is slated to start in late August. He also serves as the chair of the North Atlantic Conference Administrative Executive Committee. Both Husson and Thomas are members of the North Atlantic Conference, which is made up of Division III schools. 

“We are thrilled to have an accomplished professional of Chris Parsons’ caliber joining Husson as our new athletic director,” Husson President Lynne Coy-Ogan — a 1983 Foxcroft Academy graduate and also a former principal in what is now known as RSU 68 in Dover-Foxcroft — said. “He is a confident leader who has experience using data-driven decision making — something we value greatly at our university.”

Husson first launched a national search in March when then-Athletic Director John Sutyak was hired to lead the athletics department at the University of Southern Maine.