Chris McKibben was promoted to Associate Athletic Director for External Relations on July 1, 2026, after joining Bates College in August 2022 as Assistant Athletic Director for Communications. He oversees the department's external operations, including athletics communications, brand strategy, digital media, broadcasting, creative content, marketing initiatives, and fan engagement while serving as a member of the department's senior leadership team.
Prior to Bates, McKibben served as Associate Director of Athletics for Communications and Operations at Georgian Court University in Lakewood, N.J. During his 14-year tenure, he played a key role in the growth of the athletic department from seven varsity programs with fewer than 100 student-athletes to 14 sports serving nearly 300 student-athletes.
In addition to leading the department's communications efforts, McKibben oversaw facility operations, game management, scheduling, website administration, student employment, and major departmental events, including the annual golf outing, Homecoming, and year-end awards banquet. He also served as the lead sports information director for more than 25 Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference championship events hosted on the Georgian Court campus.
An active member of College Sports Communicators (CSC), McKibben has served on several NCAA committees, including the National Committee on Women's Athletics, the NCAA Woman of the Year Selection Committee, and the Student-Athletes with Disabilities Subcommittee.
Before entering collegiate athletics, McKibben coordinated donor recruitment efforts for the American Red Cross throughout New Jersey and served as Director of Media Relations for the New Britain Rock Cats, the then Double-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins.
A native of Middletown, N.J., McKibben earned his degree from the University of Southern Maine and resides in Auburn, Maine.
