LORETTO, Pa. – Saint Francis University Director of Athletics James Downer has announced that Dr. Carrie Beebout has been appointed as the department's Faculty Athletics Representative (FAR). Beebout replaces Dr. Tricia McFadden, who has served as the FAR at Saint Francis since 2019.

"We are excited to welcome Dr. Carrie Beebout as our newly appointed Faculty Athletics Representative," said Downer. "Her multitude of accomplishments, first, as the Program Director of the Physician Assistant Science Program in the School of Health Sciences and Education, her previous involvement within athletics as a Faculty Athletic Mentor combined with her distinguished military service make her an ideal candidate to further enrich the student-athlete experience here at Saint Francis University. We look forward to building on the substantive work accomplished during the tenure of Dr. Tricia McFadden, centered on the principle of student-athlete well-being."

Beebout became a member of the Saint Francis faculty in 2012 and is currently the Program Director of the Physician Assistant Science Program in the School of Health Sciences and Education, as well as the Department Chair. 

"The tradition of the student-athlete here at Saint Francis University is storied and proud, and I am honored and humbled by this opportunity to be a part of it," said Beebout. "I look forward to continuing the strong bond between academics and athletics as the new Faculty Athletics Representative."

She earned a Doctorate of Psychology (PsyD) with a concentration in Sport Psychology from California Southern University, a Master's of Physician Assistant Science from Saint Francis University, and a Bachelor's in Liberal Arts from Excelsior College. 

"First and foremost I want to thank Dr. Tricia McFadden for all that she has done as Faculty Athletics Representative and want to congratulate her on her new role as Dean of Francis Worldwide School of Continuing Studies," said John Krimmel, Saint Francis Senior Associate AD for Student-Athlete & Leadership. "Dr. McFadden has made a tremendous impact in her time as FAR and that impact will be felt for many years to come. Tricia has been a strong advocate for our student-athletes and it has been an honor to work alongside her. She is the epitome of what Saint Francis is all about and has worked tirelessly to enhance the student-athlete experience."
 
Beebout has served as Faculty Athletics Mentor (FAM) for the Women's Soccer team since 2017 and has provided Sport Psychology services to a number of individual athletes and teams on campus over the past five years.  She retired from the United States Army after completing 20 years of service, including a combat tour in Iraq. 

"Our office (Center for Student-Athlete Development & Academic Services) could not be more excited for the appointment of Dr. Carrie Beebout as our next Faculty Athletics Representative," said Krimmel. "Dr. Beebout's passion for higher education and the student-athlete experience is unmatched and that is why she is a perfect fit for this role. Our student-athletes will benefit greatly with Dr. Beebout in this role and personally I look forward to getting started working with her. The future continues to be even brighter for SFU Athletics with the leadership of James and now with Carrie as our new FAR.