Nikki Webb has been hired as New York University's first Associate Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Health and Performance.

In this brand-new role, Webb will be providing strategic leadership and oversight of all student-athlete health and performance services, including recovery, nutrition, mental health support, performance technology, and healthcare partnerships across various NYU Athletics services. She will oversee the alignment of these critical areas within a unified model in an effort to strengthen collaboration, reduce silos, and ensure that all NYU teams are supported by a coordinated, high-performing health and performance infrastructure.

"Nikki brings deep expertise in athletic healthcare leadership, policy development, and interdisciplinary collaboration at both the collegiate and professional levels," said NYU Director of Athletics Jake Olkkola. "For our coaches and teams, this role will deliver clearer communication, stronger integration between coaching, medical, and performance staff, and enhanced support for athlete availability, development, and long-term success. For our student-athletes, it reinforces NYU's commitment to holistic care, recognizing that health and performance are interconnected and essential to both academic and athletic achievement."

Webb most recently served in a senior leadership role with Major League Soccer, where she managed league-wide medical programs, supervised and trained medical professionals nationwide, led concussion education and research initiatives, collaborated with technology partners, and implemented quality assurance and performance review processes. 

Webb returns to NYU after having last served as Assistant Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Health and Wellbeing in October 2020. 

"I am deeply appreciative to Jake Olkkola and (Deputy Athletic Director) Janice Quinn for their forward-thinking vision in establishing this new role, and I am thrilled to return to NYU to begin building a comprehensive foundation for athlete health and performance," Webb said. "We have a unique opportunity to redefine how we support the holistic well-being and development of our varsity athletes. By building on the strong resources already in place and strategically integrating new, cutting-edge technologies, we will ensure every program has what it needs to drive health and performance forward. 

Webb first came to NYU with five years of NCAA Division I experience. In 2005-06, she worked at Columbia University and was primarily responsible for the daily medical coverage and injury rehabilitation for the men's basketball, track & field and cross country teams.
 
Prior to her stint at Columbia, Webb worked as both the Head Athletic Trainer (2003-05) and Associate Athletic Trainer (2001-03) at the University of South Florida, where she oversaw coverage and rehabilitation for the Bulls' men's basketball program. In addition, Webb covered men's and women's golf and sailing, while coordinating daily training room management and preseason physicals for more than 400 student-athletes.

"This position is a foundational step in building a model that sets NYU Athletics apart, one that prioritizes innovation, collaboration, and excellence in student-athlete health and performance," Olkkola added. "Nikki's experience will help us in adapting practices seen at the professional level." 
 
A 1998 graduate of the University of South Florida with a Bachelor of Science degree in Wellness, Webb also earned  a Master of Science degree in Education from Elmira College in 2001.