Bio

Salem Community College has named Robert Hughes as Director of Athletics. He comes to SCC from Rosemont (Pa.) College.

At SCC, Hughes oversees men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s basketball, softball and baseball. The Mighty Oaks compete in the Garden State Athletic Conference in the National Junior College Athletic Association.

Hughes succeeds Dr. Robert Bunnell, whose six-year leadership was instrumental in the reincarnation of SCC Athletics. Owing to Bunnell and his coaches, Mighty Oaks Athletics field competitive teams with nearly 100 students who succeed athletically and academically.

During his 12 years at Rosemont, Hughes served as interim athletics director in 2021 and 2022, managing all aspects of the department. As head coach for men’s basketball, his team won the 2019 Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) championship and qualified for its first appearance in the NCAA Division III Tournament. The 2015 CSAC Men’s Basketball Coach of the Year, he guided the program to nine straight playoff appearances from 2014 through 2023. During his Rosemont tenure, he also served as Assistant Athletics Director, Interim Golf Coach and adjunct professor.

Previously, Hughes coached at Washington College, Drew University and Saint Joseph’s University. He also was camp coach, talent evaluator and tournament site director for The Hoop Group.

Hughes holds a master’s degree from Washington College and a bachelor’s degree from Saint Joseph’s University.