Josephson Leaving it Better Than She Found It

If you've played a club, intramural, or recreational sport at Lehigh or have been involved in any leadership role through those respective sports, you have probably interacted with Jane Josephson, Director of Club, Intramural and Recreational Sports.

Josephson has worked at Lehigh for more than 36 years and will be retiring on July 8. When Josephson first came to Lehigh by way of DeSales, formerly Allentown College, there were no club sports when she was hired, so she had to build it from the ground up.

"In the early 1990s, we got club sports," Josephson said. "I called it part-time because I didn't handle any of the financials, and they were given out at the beginning of the year. Then when they wanted more money, they had to go over to the stuent affair office. Back then, our clubs didn't belong to any leagues, but now they have memberships and governing bodies, so they can participate in a league that is sanctioned."

Today, Lehigh offers more than 40 club sports during a given year with more than 1,000 students participating. Basketball, equestrian, ice hockey, men's rowing and rugby are just some of the few club sports you can play at Lehigh.

"It's been hard work to get it where it is today, but I'm really proud of where it is today," Josephson said. . I'm really happy with where we are with club sports, but it's not just one person. I was never afraid to ask for help."

While Josephson was the first-ever director of club sports at Lehigh, Barb Turanchik '75 was the director of club sports from 2007-19.

To be a club sport, you have to have 10 active people and you have to be able to compete against other teams that adhere to a competitive nature. Club sports are student-run organizations and students are directly responsible for managing and operating a successful organization.

Although students run the club, Josephson has to make sure everyone has their waivers in, make sure teams stay on budget, limit injuries and risks, make sure teams adhere to sportsmanship rules and more. In addition to all her other duties with club, intramural and recreational sports, Josephson also was in charge of the Turkey Trot, which is a 5k race that takes place on the Thursday before the Lehigh-Lafayette football game.

"The Turkey Trot has always been my favorite part and working with other people," Josephson said. "The Turkey Trot has taken place for 69 years. When I watch it, it brings back so many good memories. I saw a lot of people on campus and everybody would watch."

Assistant Athletic Director for Campus Athletics/Sports Performance Doug Strange presented Josephson at the end of the year department meeting with the Jane Josephson Intramural Sportsmanship Award, which will be given to the person who best exemplifies sportsmanship qualities that Josephson had and has built the club sports around since there are no referees.

"Jane's passion for leading and directing intramurals extended beyond recreation, as she was the consummate educator and viewed the program as a platform for instilling life lessons in leadership, respect of others, team building, and sportsmanship," Strange said. "This approach fostered social interaction and connections on campus. Additionally, it provided exposure to a variety of healthy activities, encouraging students to find their interests and maintain involvement in lifelong sports. In her absence, the university will miss a creative thinker with a can-do attitude and a respected co-worker who supported the community through recreational sports.

Josephson said she was stunned when Strange honored her with the award.

"I had no idea," she said.

After 36 years, Josephson said what she will remember most about Lehigh is the relationships she's built with the students, supervisors and colleagues.

"It has been my honor to work with Jane during my tenure at Lehigh," echoed Strange. "The professional respect we have shared has been highly rewarding and personally cherished."

Lehigh University Athletics

Josephson Leaving it Better Than She Found It

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