LACEY, Wash. – Saint Martin’s University is proud to announce the appointment of Theresa Hanson as its permanent Director of Athletics, following a highly successful interim tenure that began in October 2024. Hanson’s leadership, vision and depth of experience has already made a significant impact on Saints Athletics.
With more than 25 years of leadership in sports administration, including nearly a decade guiding Canada’s only NCAA Division II program at Simon Fraser University, Hanson has demonstrated her deep commitment to the student-athlete experience, institutional advancement and collaborative leadership. Her record includes leading a $22 million stadium project, expanding athletic endowments, and serving on respected national boards such as the NCAA Division II Management Council and the NCAA Division II Athletic Directors Association Board. Her track record in prioritizing student-athlete development, equity and team culture continue to shape her leadership at Saint Martin’s.
“Theresa is a visionary leader who understands the importance of supporting our student-athletes in all aspects of their development,” said Saint Martin’s President Bill Brownsberger, S.T.D. “Her commitment to excellence, both on and off the field, and her alignment with our Catholic Benedictine values make her an outstanding fit for our university. We are excited to have her join the team in a permanent capacity and look forward to the greater heights to which she will lead our athletic programs.”
In the six months since arriving at Saint Martin’s, Hanson has made tremendous strides in fundraising and helped the University exceed its short-term goals, laying a strong foundation for the long-term success of Saints Athletics. She has initiated key improvements to the athletic facilities—starting with baseball—to better serve student-athletes and enrich the experience for fans, families and the broader community. Most importantly, she has worked to rebuild and strengthen vital relationships with coaches, alumni, donors and campus partners, bringing much-needed momentum and stability to the department.
Reflecting on her appointment, Hanson stated:
“I am deeply honored and grateful to President Brownsberger for this incredible opportunity to serve 鶹 in this role, and for the trust and confidence placed in me. I also want to extend my heartfelt appreciation to everyone who supports Saints Athletics—our generous donors, dedicated staff and passionate community. Together, we're building something truly special, and this is just the beginning. I look forward to continuing to make a positive difference for our student-athletes and positioning our programs for sustained excellence on and off the field.”
A native of Trail, British Columbia, Hanson is a former standout basketball player and lifelong sports advocate. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Lewis Clark State College and a master’s in sport administration from the United States Sports Academy. Her family is also deeply rooted in athletics—her husband, Kevin Hanson, is a long-time men’s basketball coach at the University of British Columbia, and their daughter, Jessica, plays professional basketball in Portugal.
Saint Martin’s University looks forward to Hanson's continued leadership and the bright future of Saints Athletics under her direction.
About Saint Martin’s University:
Saint Martin’s University is an independent coeducational university, with undergraduate and graduate offerings, located on a wooded campus of more than 380 acres in Lacey, Washington. Established in 1895 by the Catholic Order of Saint Benedict, the University is one of 13 Benedictine colleges and universities in the United States and Canada, and the only one west of the Rocky Mountains. Saint Martin’s University empowers students to pursue a lifetime of learning and accomplishment through its 31 majors, 11 master’s programs, one doctorate program and six certificate programs spanning the arts and sciences, business, counseling, education, engineering, nursing, and leadership. Saint Martin’s welcomes more than 1,300 undergraduate students and 250 graduate students from many ethnic and religious backgrounds to its Lacey campus, and more students to its extended campus located at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
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