The architect of the athletics program at The College of Saint Rose, Catherine Cummings Haker brings with her a long and successful background in intercollegiate athletics and recreation administration.

Haker arrived at the College in 1976 as head coach of women's basketball, a position she held for 12 seasons while compiling a 186-124 (.600) record.

The College didn't even have a gymnasium upon her arrival as the Campus Activities Center, home of the Golden Knights for 25 years, wasn't completed until 1978. The CAC has undergone numerous expansions throughout her tenure. It re-opened as the Events and Athletics Center following a $7.5 million expansion and renovation project which was completed three years ago.

With Haker's outstanding leadership and guidance, the Saint Rose athletics program has flourished from one that consisted solely of men's and women's basketball teams to one that swelled to 17 programs. Today, the College boasts 15 intercollegiate programs that successfully compete at the Division II level of the NCAA. During her 30-year tenure, several of those teams have grown to national prominence and today the entire program is considered to be among the fastest growing in the East.

Haker has been instrumental in directing the expansion of the athletics program from membership in the small-college regional Northeastern Athletic Conference (NAC), to national affiliation with the NAIA and the Central Atlantic College Conference. She also directed the College's transition into the NCAA, ECAC and the New York Collegiate Athletic Conference and played a vital role in the College's successful bid for membership into the Northeast-10 Conference.

The qualities of a successful student-athlete are reflected in Haker's managerial style. The desires to improve and excel while focusing on team goals are illustrated by the department's growth throughout her tenure.

Haker served for six years as a basketball officials supervisor for the ECAC and has served on numerous other committees for the NCAA, including serving as a member of the NCAA II women's basketball committee and as the chairperson of the NCAA Northeast Region women's basketball committee from 2000-2004. She has also been active in various committees for the ECAC, the East Coast Conference (formerly the NYCAC) and the NE-10 throughout her career.

Haker was president of the NAC for five years, was a member of the District 31 Executive Committee for the NAIA, held the positions of secretary/treasurer and vice president of the CACC and served as secretary and vice president of the NYCAC. Furthermore, she has held both coaching and administrative positions for the Adirondack Region of the Empire State Games throughout a 17-year span.

Haker lettered in a number of sports at Bethlehem Central High School in Delmar, NY. Later, she was a three-sport standout at Hartwick College where she participated in field hockey, basketball and lacrosse.

Haker resides in Selkirk and has two children, Matthew and Corinn.