La Salle AD Ash Puri leaving to take the same role at St. Joseph’s
Puri departs 20th and Olney after helping oversee La Salle's arena renovation project.
La Salle athletic director Ash Puri, who has been in his role at the Olney university since 2023, will become the new athletic director at St. Joseph’s University, the school announced Monday morning.
Puri previously was the senior associate athletic director and chief athletics operating officer at Villanova prior to moving to the top job at La Salle. St. Joe’s will be the third Big 5 institution for which Puri has worked in four years.
He replaces Jill Bodensteiner, who left St. Joe’s earlier this year to become the commissioner of the Horizon League.
“After an extensive national search and deliberation over a robust and talented applicant pool, I am pleased to share that Ash Puri has been named Saint Joseph’s new vice president and director of athletics,” St. Joe’s president Cheryl A. McConnell said in a press release. “Ash brings more than two decades of experience building championship programs, elevating the student-athlete experience, driving revenue growth and stewarding academic excellence, all while fostering a culture of belonging.”
During his three years at La Salle, Puri oversaw the transformation of Tom Gola Arena into the new John E. Glaser Arena, and the athletic department also expanded. The baseball program was revived and the school added three women’s sports: acrobatics and tumbling, rugby, and triathlon.
Prior to his Big 5 roles, Puri had stints working with the Oakland Athletics and at the University of California-Berkeley. He also worked in the NBA and NFL.
“I have long admired Saint Joseph’s — its mission, its values, the way it develops student-athletes both in competition and in life," Puri said in a statement. “So, when this opportunity arose, it felt like a natural fit. I’m excited to bring energy, passion, and a deep commitment to this role. There is a strong foundation here, and I look forward to building on it alongside St. Joe’s student-athletes and staff.”
St. Joe’s said it will officially introduce Puri at a press conference on May 18 at Hagan Arena.
