Eric Gobiel begins his third year as the Director of Athletics at Nichols College in 2021-22. He joined the department in a full-time role as Assistant Athletic Director in 2012 before being elevated in Associate Athletic Director in 2015. Gobiel then assumed the role of Interim Director of Athletics on June 1, 2019 and was elevated to his current position the following month.
Gobiel was instrumental in the Bison’s return to play efforts throughout the 2020-21 academic year. While many schools and conferences canceled athletics during the pandemic, he worked tirelessly with the administration at the college and with member Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) institutions to develop and implement an abbreviated winter sports season and a conference-only schedule for all spring programs. Additionally, Gobiel spearheaded the efforts for a number of the college’s fall athletic programs – men’s and women’s soccer, women’s volleyball, and field hockey – to play scrimmage contests during the spring.
The Bison won a pair of Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Championships during Gobiel’s first year at the helm of the department. The men’s basketball program won its fourth-straight CCC Championship on the road at Endicott College and advanced to the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament for the third time in four seasons with a win at Stevenson College. The women’s tennis team, meanwhile, was their third-straight conference championship. Nichols College also had three student-athletes named CCC Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Erin Kelley (field hockey), Joseph Santese (men’s cross country), and Megan Nathanson (women’s tennis).
Prior to his current role, Gobiel assisted in all day-to-day operations of the department and oversees all contest management and game operations, capital construction and renovation projects. He also supervises student-athlete academics and affairs. Gobiel previously worked as scheduling coordinator and oversaw the college’s Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).
Gobiel spent eight seasons at the helm of the Nichols men’s lacrosse program (2012-19) and stands No. 2 all-time in program history in wins. During that span, Gobiel produced a total of 36 CCC Academic All-Conference picks, 10 CCC All-Conference selections, nine New England Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (NEILA) Academic nods, and two NEILA All-Star Game selections. The Bison won 10-or-more games in each of his final three seasons and posted the second-highest win total in program history in 2011 (11).
The 2007 Middlesex League Coach of the Year, Gobiel ran the Warriors varsity and junior varsity squads serving as a mentor and role model for 70 players on a daily basis. In 2010 and 2011 Wakefield made the MIAA East Division II Tournament. The Chelmsford, Mass. native also spent time as the head coach at San Dieguito Academy (Encinitas, Calif.), Full Tilt Lacrosse and Indoor Action Sports. Gobiel has also served as an assistant coach at Chelmsford High School and the men’s club team at Northeastern University.
As an undergraduate, Gobiel was a four-year member of the Plymouth State men’s lacrosse team and two-year captain for Panthers. Gobiel earned his bachelor’s degree in communication with a minor in sociology and was named the 2004 Panther Award winner for on and off field leadership.
Prior to his full-time appointment at Nichols, Gobiel taught at the Campus Academy High School, which is run by the SEEM Collaborative. At Campus Academy, he worked with students with learning disabilities in math, science and life skills.
Gobiel earned his master’s degree in special education from Fitchburg State University in 2013.
Â
