WASHINGTON – Georgetown University Francis X. Rienzo Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Lee Reed announced the hiring of Al Lattell as the new executive director of the Cooper Athletics Leadership Program (CALP). Lattell comes to the Hilltop from Johns Hopkins University where he was the assistant director of athletics for student-athlete development and community engagement.

"Al brings a valuable perspective as both an administrator and as a former coach," said Reed. "In his role, he will strengthen our goal of developing capable leaders on the playing field and beyond. I'm excited to welcome Al to our staff here at Georgetown and am confident his experience in intercollegiate athletics and outside the athletics arena will both support and enhance the crucial work we've been doing within the Cooper Athletics Leadership Program."

In his role at Georgetown, Lattell will run CALP along with working with the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and partnering with different departments on campus to enhance the student-athlete experience. CALP, funded as a part of a $50 million gift from Georgetown parents Peter and Sue Cooper, uses a research-based leadership theoretical framework and application through intercollegiate athletics participation as a "means" toward the higher education "end" of developing young people. CALP also acts as an effective bridge between athletics, student services, and academic units on campus by engaging in ongoing dialogue and research with internal stakeholders that can lend a voice to the topic of leadership.

"I am so grateful to begin my work as the executive director of the Cooper Athletics Leadership Program," said Lattell. "From my first interaction with the student-athletes, coaches and administrators throughout the interview process I felt a sincere alignment with my beliefs about the importance of athletics to develop the student and empower them with the tools necessary to succeed during their time at Georgetown and beyond."

Lattell comes to the Hilltop from Johns Hopkins University where he spent two years focusing on student-athlete development and community engagement. One of his most influential projects was the implementation of Blue Jays LEAD which is a multi-year leadership development program. While establishing connections between student-athletes and key stakeholders such as faculty, staff and alums, Lattell also worked with SAAC, the Black Student-Athlete Association as well as campus partners to build an inclusive community within the department.

Prior to Hopkins, Lattell was on the coaching side of athletics serving as the lacrosse operations coordinator at Harvard University for a season as well as the director of men's and women's lacrosse operations at his alma mater, Boston University, for four years.

Outside of athletics, Lattell was the director of operations at The Law Office of Marc E Canner following graduation. He is committed to service working with both the One Love Foundation as well as Bike to the Beach.

Lattell was involved with the Boston University club lacrosse program all four years with the Terriers. He graduated in 2008 with a bachelor's degree in political science, and earned a master's in education from UMass Boston in 2012.

Additionally on Friday, Reed announced the promotion of Shawn Hendi to Senior Associate Athletics Director for Student-Athlete Health & Wellness.

"Shawn has demonstrated strong leadership in his time at Georgetown, and works tirelessly to keep our student-athletes healthy and safe both mentally and physically," Reed said. "I am personally grateful for his contributions and continued dedication to our student-athletes, coaches and Georgetown Athletics as a whole."

In his 14th year on the Hilltop, Hendi oversees the Sports Medicine Department that provides high quality holistic health care to all Georgetown student-athletes. This comprehensive care and development of the student-athletes includes; prevention, care of athletics injuries, illnesses, rehabilitation and case management.  Extension services include two embedded mental health counselors and nutrition services by a licensed sports dietician.

Hendi is currently a member of the National Athletic Trainers' Association, the Mid-Atlantic Athletic Trainers' Association, the Maryland Athletic Trainers' Association and the College Athletic Trainers' Society. He also serves as an approved clinical instructor for Shenandoah University and was elected president of the BIG EAST Sports Medicine Society in 2012.

Hendi is also a member of the senior leadership team as well as the sport administrator for the men's and women's track & field/cross country squads.

A native of Mount Airy, Md., Hendi graduated from The George Washington University in 1997 and received his master's of science in health and human performance from Austin Peay State University in 1998.