Identified as an emerging leader in intercollegiate athletics, Jessica Grasso was promoted to Deputy Commissioner in June 2020 and is entering her ninth year at the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference for 2023-24. In her role, she serves as the CFO and is responsible for all the financial matters, NCAA reporting, compliance and governance oversight, and internal operations of the MAAC, including supervision of all full-time employees and contractors. Additionally, her role includes the designation of Senior Woman Administrator.
Besides the oversight operations of the conference office and its’ championships, Grasso’s financial responsibilities span over several external hosting events. These include the NCAA Men’s Basketball 1st & 2nd Rounds, NCAA Women’s Basketball Regionals, NCAA Women’s Rowing Championships, the MAAC ASUN Challenge, and the Orlando Classic Invitational.
In June 2023, Grasso completed the Women Leaders Executive Institute, whose focus is preparing individuals to attain positions as directors of athletics or conference commissioners. Other programming that Grasso has participated in are various NCAA and Women Leaders in College Sport programs; these include NCAA Pathway Program (2021) President/Search Firm Roundtable (2022); TopConnectAD (2020), the annual regional conferences Women’s Leadership Forum; the NCAA Achieving Communication Success Workshop (2017), NCAA Women’s Basketball Mock Selection Exercise (2017), Women Leaders Leadership Enhancement Institute (2016), NCAA Student-Athlete Leadership Forum (2016), and the Women Leaders Institute for Administrative Advancement (2009 –formerly NACWAA).
Grasso is an active member of Women Leaders in College Sports (WLCS), having previsouly served on the WLCS Education and Professional Committee, the Awards Committee, and Mentoring program. Grasso is currently a member of the NCAA Division I Women's Lacrosse Committee, and previously served on the NCAA Division I Rowing Committee.
Prior to the MAAC, Grasso served as the Associate Athletics Director of Compliance and Internal Operations at American University. Grasso was a member of the athletic department’s senior staff and provided sport oversight for men’s soccer, volleyball, women’s lacrosse, and strength and conditioning. She also oversaw all compliance matters and internal operations, including serving as the department’s human resources representative. She functioned as the liasion to Financial Aid, Admissions, International Student & Scholar Services, and worked closely with the Academic Support & Access Center for Student-Athletes.
Prior to arriving at American, Grasso was the Assistant Athletics Director for Compliance and Student-Athlete Services at Providence College (August 2008 – March 2010). She was responsible for enforcing and adhering to the rules and regulations of the institution, conference, and NCAA. She also supervised the Providence SAAC group and assisted with their events and initiatives. Grasso began working at Providence in February 2006 as the Assistant Athletics Director for Compliance before being elevated in August 2008.
No stranger to the MAAC, Grasso was the Assistant Director of Athletics/Compliance Officer/Senior Woman Administrator at league member, Saint Peter’s University from June 2004 to January 2006, and was the Compliance Fellow at the conference office under MAAC Hall of Famer Barbara Church.
Grasso is an alumnus of Molloy University in Rockville Centre, New York, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Business Management and was also a member of the varsity basketball team. She earned a Master’s degree in Physical Education with a concentration in Sports Management form Adelphi University in 2003. She currently resides in Colonia, New Jersey with her husband Anthony and daughter Savanna.