Tony Mazurkiewicz Named Chaplain for Athletics

When Georgetown University’s nearly 600 student-athletes return in the fall, there will be one more staff member in the building to provide help and guidance as they navigate the intricate balance of life as a student-athlete. The Office of Mission and Ministry has announced the creation of a new role Chaplain for Athletics which will be filled by University employee Tony Mazurkiewicz.

Vice President for Mission and Ministry Rev. Mark Bosco, S.J., Ph.D. worked closely with Athletics to put together a position that would fill a gap within the student-athlete experience. The new position will provide pastoral care and spiritual accompaniment to student-athletes and teams. Mazurkiewicz will help support the administrators and coaching staff to develop ways to respond to the spiritual needs of students through pastoral presence, retreats and meditation practice.

The Department of Athletics has a rich tradition with the Jesuits on campus as well as numerous other chaplains associated with the University. While many teams have developed informal relationships with the spiritual leaders, sometimes spanning years, this position will set up a clear link between Athletics and the Office of Mission and Ministry.

“We’re excited to be partnering with the Office of Mission and Ministry to better serve our student-athletes,” said Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Lee Reed. “With added mental health support, the Cooper Athletics Leadership Program and now the chaplain position, we hope these resources will make an impact in the daily lives of our student-athletes. The commitment to cura personalis is never stronger when these relationships come together to truly live out our mission.”

Mazurkiewicz comes to Athletics from his current role as Director of Georgetown’s John Main Center for Meditation and Inter-Religious Dialogue. He currently serves as a Residential Minister for McCarthy Hall and has worked with the Georgetown football team.  Prior to his time at Georgetown, Mazurkiewicz was the President of Mount Carmel High School on the south side of Chicago for five years where he led 85 faculty and staff, over 700 students and their families as well as a network of more than 16,000 alumni.

He has over 20 years of ministerial and leadership experience in academic institutions, hospitals, jails, retreat centers, churches and social agencies. Mazurkiewicz received an undergraduate degree in History from Yale University in 1996, while also serving as the captain of the 1995 varsity football team. He received a Master of Divinity degree from the Washington Theological Union in 2009, and a certificate in Nonprofit Management from Northwestern University in 2016.

“I am excited and humbled to serve the Georgetown Athletics Department in this capacity,” said Mazurkiewicz. “I look forward to the opportunity to provide pastoral care and spiritual accompaniment to the student-athletes, coaches, staff and administration while also continuing to strengthen the partnership with the Office of Mission and Ministry. I am incredibly grateful to the Calcagnini family for their incredible generosity and support.”

The creation of the Athletics Chaplaincy was made possible through the generous support of Georgetown benefactors Nancy and the late Arthur (C’54) Calcagnini. Through their visionary leadership, and continued support for the whole of the Georgetown student body, the Calcagninis have provided the opportunity to fill a gap in our ministerial outreach.

“I am extremely excited to officially welcome Tony into the Hoya Athletics family,” said Georgetown Head Football Coach Rob Sgarlata. “Our student-athletes and staff have worked with Tony over the past two seasons. He has served as a tremendous resource for our program with regard to our overall wellness and team chemistry. I am looking forward to having him continue this work as he assumes his new role.”