Completed Event: Women's Tennis at Princeton on January 23, 2026 , Loss , 3, to, 4
WTEN
Final
James Madison
3
at Princeton
4
James Madison University | Official Athletics Site
Denise Lough Elevated to Assistant A.D. for Internal Operations and Human Resources
9/27/2022 4:20:00 PM | Administration
HARRISONBURG, Va. – James Madison Director of Athletics Jeff Bourne announced the elevated appointment of Denise Lough to the position of Assistant Athletics Director for Internal Operations and Human Resources.
"Denise has been the backbone of JMU Athletics with her dedicated service," Bourne said. "She works tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure that we are operating efficiently, communicating effectively and maximizing opportunities. I am excited to elevate her to this expanded role and look forward to her continued contributions."
Serving on the department's administrative leadership team, Lough expands her previous role of assistant to the A.D. to add oversight of human resources for the department, the equipment room, the administration's executive assistant and sport supervision of the men's and women's tennis programs. She continues to coordinate various high-level functions such as the athletics committee of the Board of Visitors, university reporting, the JMU Athletics Diversity & Inclusion Council and more.
"I am grateful to Mr. Bourne for this opportunity and for the confidence he has placed in me to help lead our department through this position," Lough said. "JMU continues to grow and really has become a national brand and model institution, highlighted by our recent transition to the Sun Belt Conference. There's certainly a lot of excitement here at JMU, and I am really honored to be a part of it."
Lough assumed the role of assistant to the A.D. in 2017, coordinating all activities and communication for Bourne while organizing departmental meetings and major initiatives. She previously served positions in the athletics business office and as director of operations for JMU football. Outside of JMU Athletics, she held previous positions with JMU human resources and as a paralegal.
A 2005 JMU graduate with a bachelor's degree in communications and a minor in sport communication, Lough is a member of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics and Women Leaders in College Sports.
Lough and her husband, Aaron, have two children, Maris and Maddox, and a lab, Jax.
"Denise has been the backbone of JMU Athletics with her dedicated service," Bourne said. "She works tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure that we are operating efficiently, communicating effectively and maximizing opportunities. I am excited to elevate her to this expanded role and look forward to her continued contributions."
Serving on the department's administrative leadership team, Lough expands her previous role of assistant to the A.D. to add oversight of human resources for the department, the equipment room, the administration's executive assistant and sport supervision of the men's and women's tennis programs. She continues to coordinate various high-level functions such as the athletics committee of the Board of Visitors, university reporting, the JMU Athletics Diversity & Inclusion Council and more.
"I am grateful to Mr. Bourne for this opportunity and for the confidence he has placed in me to help lead our department through this position," Lough said. "JMU continues to grow and really has become a national brand and model institution, highlighted by our recent transition to the Sun Belt Conference. There's certainly a lot of excitement here at JMU, and I am really honored to be a part of it."
Lough assumed the role of assistant to the A.D. in 2017, coordinating all activities and communication for Bourne while organizing departmental meetings and major initiatives. She previously served positions in the athletics business office and as director of operations for JMU football. Outside of JMU Athletics, she held previous positions with JMU human resources and as a paralegal.
A 2005 JMU graduate with a bachelor's degree in communications and a minor in sport communication, Lough is a member of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics and Women Leaders in College Sports.
Lough and her husband, Aaron, have two children, Maris and Maddox, and a lab, Jax.
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