Dec. 18, 2009
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Nittany Lion basketball alum and current Penn State Harrisburg Director of Athletics Rahsaan Carlton has been named Penn State's new representative on the Big Ten Advisory Commission.
Carlton replaces Bruce Ellis on the committee. Ellis vacated his position when he became Penn State's Assistant Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Services.
The Big Ten Advisory Commission consists of former African-American alumnae and alumni from each conference university. The commission was formed approximately 25 years ago to answer the conference's desire "to address the day-to-day problems of racism and affirmative action matters faced by minorities."
"I think Rahsaan is a perfect fit for this committee and it's important mission and we are pleased to announce his appointment as Penn State's representative," said Director of Athletics Tim Curley. "He has a lot to offer the Big Ten Advisory Commission both from his experiences as a former player and now as an administrator. I believe he will represent us well and add a great deal to the committee's dialogue."
Carlton is a 1997 graduate of Penn State with a degree in Recreation and Parks Management. He is currently pursuing a Master's degree in health education at Penn State Harrisburg with an expected graduation date of August 2010. Carlton was a four-year letterman (1993-97) on the Nittany Lion basketball team, serving as team captain his senior year.
"I am very excited to represent Penn State on the Advisory Commission," said Carlton. "As a former Big Ten student-athlete and current athletic administrator I look forward to engaging in the dialogue that takes place in regards to diversity and inclusion within the Big Ten Conference."
The Director of Athletics at Penn State-Harrisburg since August of 2005, Carlton heads a 12-sport varsity program, which competes at the Division III level. In addition to the direct supervision of nine head coaches, he oversees the compliance efforts for the department, and prepares and manages the annual budget. Carlton also actively monitors the athletic department's initiatives related to student-athlete welfare, equity and sportsmanship.
For the almost six years prior, Carlton was a Program Specialist in the Montgomery County, Md., Department of Recreation where he planned diversified recreation programs.
Carlton served one year as an assistant coach for the men's basketball team at Franklin & Marshall during the 1998-99 season. That year, Franklin & Marshall won the Centennial Conference Regular Season and made it to the second round of the Division III NCAA Tournament, finishing with a 22-5 record. During that same time period, Carlton was also the Program Coordinator for the York City Recreation and Parks Department, where he was responsible for all administration, management and leadership of programs, staff and facilities.
Carlton is an active member of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics, the National Association of Division III Athletic Administrators, Black Coaches and Administrators, the Minorities Opportunities Athletics Association and the Pennsylvania Black Conference on High Education.
He currently resides in Harrisburg, Pa.
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