Meet the Director of Recreation and Wellness
Michael Castaneda joined the Loyola University Maryland Department of Recreation and Wellness in June 2023 as the Director of Recreation and Wellness. In this role, he oversees the overall direction and leadership of the department.
Michael is originally from Miami, Florida. In May 2012, he graduated with his bachelor's degree in Exercise and Health Sciences at Kennesaw State University. As a student, he worked in the Department of Sports and Recreation as an Intramural Sports Supervisor and Official at Kennesaw State. Upon graduation, Michael became the Graduate Assistant for Intramural Sports within the Campus Recreation department at the University of Kentucky. In May 2014, he earned his master's degree in Kinesiology and Health Promotion, with a focus on Exercise Physiology, from the University of Kentucky.
Michael's first professional position was the Assistant Director of Recreational Sports & Wellness at Mercer University. In this role, he oversaw the operations of the Intramural Sports program and started and implemented the Fitness program in the department. In addition to his position, he created and oversaw the programming of the department's welcome event "Rec the Night", served as a member on the Judicial Board and on the professional development and assessment committees for the Division of Student Affairs.
In July 2018, Michael became the Assistant Director of Sports Programs within the Campus Recreation department at the University of Texas at San Antonio. He provided leadership, direction, and operational supervision of the Intramural Sports and Club Sports programs and the management of the Recreational Field Complex. In addition, he organized and directed the department's welcome event "Late Night at the REC", served on risk management and the student training development committees for the division. Michael coordinated and facilitated the Emerging Leaders Institute, which is the department's professional development workshop for student employees. In the 2020-21 school year, Michael served as the Interim Assistant Director of Outdoor Pursuits, where he directly supervised the outdoor programs, resource center and rockwall. In 2021, he was awarded the Professional Staff of the Year Award for Campus Recreation.
Michael has officiated basketball in the high school level for 11 years in Kentucky, Georgia, and Texas, and in the men's collegiate level for 6 years. In 2023, he officiated in the Texas UIL 2A Boys State Championship game at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. Michael has been heavily involved with the NIRSA Championship Series, serving in as a member and director of the officials committee for NIRSA Flag Football and Basketball Regional and National Championships. From 2019-23, Michael served as a Co-Director of Officials for the NIRSA National Basketball Championships. Currently, Michael is the Chair of the Basketball Work Team for the NIRSA Championship Series.
Michael enjoys spending time and participating in many different activities with his wife, Megan, who have been married for seven years, and their two dogs (Rico & Lex). He enjoys running, working out, and hiking to continue to stay active in his daily life. Michael is avid sports fan and enjoys cheering on all Miami professional teams (Dolphins, Heat, Marlins, Panthers).
Contact Information
410-617-5131
mcastaneda@loyola.edu