For immediate release
Contact: Karina Graziani
Sports Communications Manager
Email: klgraziani@carlow.edu
Phone: 814-279-5649
Contact: Sean McFarland, MA
Public Relations & Communications Manager
Email: sdmcfarland@carlow.edu
Phone: 412-260-6807
Under Sliman’s leadership, Carlow athletic department grew from
five women’s sports to a total of 14 men’s and women’s sports
PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Carlow University Director of Athletics George Sliman has announced his retirement after 37 years of dedicated service to the University. Sliman led as director of athletics for 22 years, overseeing the department’s growth from just 65 student-athletes to 200 student-athletes in 2021.
During his time as director, Sliman established the Walk of Fame, one of the Department’s most long-standing traditions, and was instrumental in adding the sports communications manager/recruiting coordinator position to the athletics staff in 2015.
Sliman initiated the Department’s annual participation at the Congregation Beth Shalom Sports Luncheon, providing opportunities for community service to student-athletes. He was also responsible for securing multiyear facilities agreements for the Celtics, most notably Highmark Stadium (soccer), Oakland Catholic High School (basketball), and Alpha Tennis & Fitness. In 2019, Carlow hosted the RSC Cross Country Championship at Schenley Park.
“For almost four decades, George has been an invaluable asset to Carlow University,” said Carlow University President Suzanne K. Mellon, PhD. “He has been instrumental in helping to expand athletics at Carlow, greatly enhancing our student experience. George will be sincerely missed, but the University wishes him well in his well-deserved retirement.”
For the 2011-12 season, Sliman was named as the NAIA Northeast Region Under Armour Athletic Director of the Year by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA). Sliman also garnered recognition at the University in 2019 when he was presented with a 35-year award for service and in 2012-13 for his leadership when Carlow joined the River States Conference (formerly the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference). The Celtics won the 2012 softball championship prior to its departure from the American Mideast Conference.
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About Carlow University
Carlow is a private, co-educational, Catholic university located in the heart of Pittsburgh’s “Eds, Meds, and Tech” district. Founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1929, Carlow’s curricula and partnerships reflect its strong commitment to social justice; ethical, forward-thinking and responsible leadership; and service to the community that has a meaningful impact. Undergraduate and graduate degrees are offered in two colleges: the College of Health and Wellness and the College of Arts and Sciences. The College of Health and Wellness includes the departments of Nursing, Respiratory Care, Healthcare Data Analytics, Health Management, and graduate degrees in Speech-Language Pathology and the Physician Assistant programs. Graduate programs in Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy will soon be added.
Carlow University also believes in the education and growth of students both inside and outside the classroom, where they can join student government, clubs, and academic honorary societies where they can develop skills in judgment, leadership, analysis, decision-making, and communication. For student-athletes, Carlow’s 14 athletic teams are known as the Celtics, a reflection of the university’s Irish heritage and roots.
