Dakota Olson begins his third academic year as the Assistant Director of Athletics & Recreation at the Borough of Manhattan Community College. Olson previously served as the Coordinator of Athletics and Athletic Facility Operations from 2019 until 2022.
Olson has played an important role in the Panthers Athletics Department’s success in the City of New York Athletic Conference (CUNYAC), being a part of two CUNYAC Community College Men's Soccer Championships in 2019 and 2023, while seeing the 2023 BMCC women's volleyball team capture their first CUNYAC Community College Championship since 2006 over six-time defending champion Queensborough Community College. Olson also helped lead the department during the BMCC men's basketball program's road to a second straight CUNYAC Community College Championship in 2019 while assisting the program as the college captured CUNYAC Commissioner's Cup honors in the 2018-19 and 2022-23 athletic season.
When traditional athletics came to a standstill during the COVID-19 pandemic, Olson introduced the department’s seventh sport with the creation of the BMCC Esports Program in November of 2020. In just three years as program administrator, Olson has made the program relevant nationally, getting the BMCC Rocket League its first-ever nationally livestreamed match and leading them to their first-ever National Championship appearance during the 2022 Fall Season against Wake Tech.
Olson began his time at BMCC as the college’s Sports Information Director from 2015-2018, being a part of the Panther's 11th CUNYAC Commissioner's Cup honor in 2017-18, which included the men's basketball program's fifth-ever CUNYAC Community College Men's Basketball Championship to go along with back-to-back Conference Championships in Men's Soccer in 2017 and 2016.
"I have truly enjoyed working at a college that has consistently strived to ensure our student-athletes succeed both on the playing field and in the classroom,” said Olson. “During my tenure I have been fortunate to witness five BMCC students earn their spot on an NJCAA All-American team, several BMCC teams win CUNYAC championships, and four students honored as the CUNYAC Scholar-Athlete of the Year. I am grateful to have been a part of the growth of our department and look forward to the continued success and expansion of our athletic department.”
Olson received his Master's Degree in Business Management and Leadership from the CUNY School of Professional Studies in 2021 and his Bachelor's Degree in Sport Management in 2015 from St. John's University.
Olson is a native of Washington State and currently resides with his wife Jazmine in New Jersey.
