The appointment of JM Caparro as the Director of Athletics and Recreation at American University was announced by former President Sylvia Burwell on April 2, 2024. Caparro is the 15th Director of Athletics at AU, and came to D.C. after spending the previous nine years at Boston College.
Caparro joined the Eagles at an exciting time after the University broke ground on the Alan and Amy Meltzer Center for Athletic Performance, AU’s first new athletic building in more than 30 years, which is slated to open during the 2025-26 school year.
In Caparro's first year at American, the men's basketball team won its fourth Patriot League Championship in program history and its first in 11 years, hosting and winning the tournament in front of a sold-out Bender Arena crowd for the final game against Navy. Following the conclusion of the season in the NCAA Tournament, Caparro signed second-year head coach Duane Simpkins to a contract extension through the 2029-30 season.
Under Caparro's leadership, the Athletics Department posted record fundraising numbers during American's annual Giving Days campaign in late February. Athletics led all departments at the University by raising a total of $404,996, smashing previous records and accounting for over 70 percent of the dollars raised for the University. The number of donors for Athletics accounted for nearly 74 percent of the total 3,511 donors for the University during Giving Day. The record campaign for Athletics raised over $70,000 more than in 2024.
The first head coach hire for Caparro came in April, 2025, when he appointed long-time University of Pennsylvania assistant Kelly Killion as the 15th head coach of the women's basketball program.
Caparro served as Deputy Athletic Director at BC starting in 2022, and previously as Senior Associate Athletic Director for External Affairs. He oversaw the day-to-day operations of the athletics department and its 31 varsity programs; served as sport administrator for football, women’s lacrosse and women’s volleyball (and formerly for men’s basketball, men’s and women’s skiing, and men’s and women’s fencing); and led Ticket Sales and Service, Marketing, Multimedia Rights, Communications, Ticket Operations, Equipment Operations, Facilities Operations, and Event Management.
He also developed and implemented strategic initiatives to maximize revenue opportunities, which included record-setting apparel and multimedia rights partnerships for Boston College.
Before joining Boston College, Caparro was the vice president of ticket sales and service for the NBA’s Brooklyn Nets, where he managed more than $70 million annually in ticket sales and service functions. He helped lead the Nets’ relocation from the Izod Center to Prudential Center in New Jersey, and then on to the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, bringing the first professional franchise back to Brooklyn in over 50 years. Prior to the Nets, Caparro was a member of the Team Marketing and Business Operations group with the NBA league office.
A native of Upper Saddle River, N.J., Caparro graduated from Lehigh University with a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the College of Business. At Lehigh, he was also a member of the varsity football team. Caparro and his wife, Karen, are the parents of four children: Joseph, Caroline, Sophia, and Isabel.
What They’re Saying About JM Caparro
“JM is an accomplished athletic leader who prioritizes the holistic growth and success of student-athletes,” said Alger. “His innovative approach and deep understanding of current issues facing the NCAA and collegiate athletics will help AU and our student-athletes thrive. I’m looking forward to working with him and celebrating championships in Bender Arena, the Meltzer Center, and all our competition fields.”
- Jonathan Alger
President of American University
“I am so happy for JM and his entire family. While we are devastated to lose him, I know he will go on and do great things for AU and their community. Having him as our sport administrator at Boston College was the greatest gift to my team over the years, because he shaped our program and worked hard to continuously build it every day. Now, it’s JM’s time, and I am so excited for him, Karen and the kids to take on this incredible opportunity. American University is lucky to have him.”
- Acacia Walker-Weinstein
Head Coach of Boston College Women’s Lacrosse – 2021 National Champions
“JM is an innovative leader who consistently brings solutions to the table. His people first approach allows him to serve student athletes and teammates in an exceptional manner. JM and his family will be an incredible addition to the American University community!”
- Martin Jarmond
The Alice and Nahum Lainer Family Director of Athletics at UCLA
“JM played a pivotal role in the day-to-day operations of our department at Boston College. His adeptness in fostering relationships within the campus community, as well as with donors and external partners, is unparalleled. He possesses a unique talent for connecting with individuals from diverse backgrounds, which was instrumental in advancing our department's new initiatives. His dedication, expertise, and integrity make him an invaluable asset to any institution. American University is fortunate to have him join their team, and I am confident that he will make an instant impact to their athletic department.”
- Dr. Patrick Kraft
Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics at Penn State
"At BC, we are family and we are sad to be losing one of our own! JM has been a dynamic presence within our Athletic department and the University. He has stepped up twice to be our interim AD and has been a personal friend to me. We have worked on many things together; loved being on coach searches with him. I've seen what he can do and am grateful for what he has done for us. Now it is time for JM to share his gifts and talents with another outstanding institution. He is an Eagle through and through (BC to AU) and will take American to new heights."
- John T. Butler, S.J.
Haub Vice President, Boston College
“I had the opportunity to work with JM at the Brooklyn Nets, and he has always stood out as a dynamic and passionate leader. His exceptional creativity has enabled a successful transition from the professional sports space to the collegiate world. I’m looking forward to watching him thrive at American University; they are lucky to have him.”
- Fred Mangione
Managing Director MM Sports Consulting/Former COO Brooklyn Nets, Barclays Center
