Meredith Long, Deputy Athletic Director, is dedicated to Chowan University, first as a student graduating with a degree in Physical Education and a minor in English and then a 25 year employee. She obtained her masters in Recreation and Tourism from VCU in Richmond while working at Chowan, traveling daily back and forth. While teaching and coaching in Northampton County Schools, she freelanced as a sports journalist for the local newspaper, covering a multitude of events. During graduate school Long was afforded the opportunity to do practicum work with the City of Richmond’s Tourism office and NASCAR.

Long loves the water. Growing up in Currituck County, North Carolina, the sound was her playground, and when she has time the shells and waves still call her name. She knows hard work; baling and stacking hay was just one of the chores shaping her life from early childhood. During the summer she helped her grandparents out on their acreage in upstate New York as well.

Some people have many talents, and Meredith Long is one of them. She is an artist in the truest sense. She is a master with words, writing her thoughts beautifully, creating a visual image with words,  that she also can also fashion with paint. You may have seen shells sporting her originality around campus. She is starting to put her unique oyster shell crafts in local festivals and shows; look for her sign:  Mental Shellness.

“For me, there is peace in creating. In recent years, with my children growing older and less dependent on me for their every need, I have filled that empty space with a variety of hobbies. I love to paddle board. Seeing land from a board in the water gives you a different perspective of places mostly just walked. It’s symbolic in that it’s a peaceful reminder that we sometimes get locked in on the day-to-day and the beauty all around us becomes mundane. Seeing things from a different perspective helps keep me grounded,” continues Long. 

Long also loves sports. As a curious, and hyperactive child, she acknowledges that “sports saved me from a lot of dumb life decisions. Sports kept me busy year round.” She was recruited to play softball at Chowan, but also played basketball. Long and her husband, Mark, who she met at Chowan, are the only married couple to be inducted into the Chowan University Jim Garrison Sports Hall of Fame. 

Meredith is greatly admired by those working with her. Pat Mashuda, Associate VP for Athletics and Compliance says, “Meredith has faithfully served our beloved institution for more than 25 years, and her accolades are too long to list them all.  She was an outstanding Softball Coach, CIAA SWA of the Year, and the 2010 Chowan Female Employee of the Year.  In 2011, Long was among twenty candidates selected nationwide for the NCAA/ADA DII Mentorship Program.  Just to name a few. There is no other person I would want by my side to help lead, guide, and direct this Athletic Department.  Without hesitation, I can say her influence and impact on the Athletic Department and me has been truly significant.  I have great appreciation for all that she has accomplished and will accomplish going forward.”

Her career at Chowan fits her perfectly. The diversity of activity it offers where she is never doing the same thing all of the time is perfect for her. She loves working with students and the community. “Chowan is a unique place where the people are what has held it together for so long. Chowan has provided opportunity not only for me, but for thousands of others over the years. That’s what makes me happy.”