Class of 72
Active member
There has been much speculation of discord among staff in the basketball program but for St. John's, as usual, it goes beyond its signature program. There are administrative problems throughout the athletic departments including sports like soccer and lacrosse. The golf fiasco is still fresh. While the old saying "the fish stinks from the head" may apply, the conundrum at SJU is WHO is in charge? While spending millions on assembling the least experienced basketball staff in college basketball, the university that tries to position itself in a power conference like the Big East has yet to hire a seasoned professional to serve as Athletic Director. Some have proclaimed Chris Mullin as C.E.O. of the basketball program forgetting he was hired to coach and not to oversee from arm's length his coaching staff. There are apparently no clearly defined roles as we witnessed this past season. Our "Associate Head Coach" deferred to a 20 something wonder kid during games. Our head coach sat and chatted most games with his "special assistant" or sat at the scorers table while opposing coaches were well organized at game time. Some of the drama could be minimized if the University conducted a real search for leadership in the athletic departments and joined the Big East in a professional and dedicated relationship rather than poorly executed strategic plans. To this end I have appended a possible solution to our last place image in the Big East. Post the job that should have been posted "before" Chris Mullin and company were hired.
DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS, ST. JOHN'S UNIVERSITY
The Director of Athletics provides vision, strategic direction, and administrative leadership for an elite, nationally ranked intercollegiate athletics and recreation program in a selective academic environment. The Director fosters principles and programs that encourage integrity, student well-being, diversity, and inclusiveness throughout all levels of the organization while promoting an environment of excellence and success. Consistent with University priorities, the Director will develop, implement, and monitor a strategic plan for the department that promotes best practice and addresses personnel development, budgeting and financial management, facility renovation and enhancement, equipment renewal, alumni and public relations, and compliance and regulatory expectations while advancing a high level of integration of athletics and recreation into the overall student experience. The Director works collaboratively with development officers to endow student-athlete scholarships, raise capital campaign funds for the construction of new and renovated sports and recreation facilities, and generate support for programmatic and facility operations.
Representing the University and the interests of its officers, student-athletes, coaches, and staff in service to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), Eastern Collegiate Athletic Association (ECAC), the BIG EAST Conference, is an important responsibility of the Director. Additionally, the Director is responsible for forging collaborative working relationships with admissions, academic affairs, student affairs, and coaching staff to attract and retain highly talented student-athletes capable of balancing rigorous academics and demanding athletics, including post-season tournaments. The Director manages an organization with an operating budget of $20 million; 24 varsity sports in both men's and women's athletics; 900 student-athletes; 3,000 students engaged in recreation and fitness programs, club sports, and intramural activities; and a staff of approximately 200, inclusive of coaches, trainers, equipment managers, administrative personnel, facilities specialists, and recreation professionals.
Specific Responsibilities include:
Ensure a high quality student-athlete experience
Continue to elevate the competitiveness of the overall athletics program
Develop and execute a strategic plan for SJU Athletics
Supervise all administrative, operational and business functions of the Department in accordance with the policies and procedures established by the University
Identify and prioritize the Department’s funding requirements and administer the annual operating budget.
Recruit and provide leadership, organization and management of the coaching staff in order to attain optimal operational, academic, fiscal and athletic performance.
Supervise scheduling for all intercollegiate athletic events and facilities
Understand and foster student-athlete academic success
Enhance school spirit and engagement through SJU Athletics
Oversee compliance with all University, NCAA and Conference rules and regulations
Demonstrate commitment to inclusion and diversity in all regards
Cultivate and enhance relationships both on campus and in the community as necessary to support and represent the mission of the University and the Department of Athletics
Participate proactively as necessary in alumni, public relations and fund raising activities with all relevant constituencies
Raise the profile of the University through SJU Athletics
DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS, ST. JOHN'S UNIVERSITY
The Director of Athletics provides vision, strategic direction, and administrative leadership for an elite, nationally ranked intercollegiate athletics and recreation program in a selective academic environment. The Director fosters principles and programs that encourage integrity, student well-being, diversity, and inclusiveness throughout all levels of the organization while promoting an environment of excellence and success. Consistent with University priorities, the Director will develop, implement, and monitor a strategic plan for the department that promotes best practice and addresses personnel development, budgeting and financial management, facility renovation and enhancement, equipment renewal, alumni and public relations, and compliance and regulatory expectations while advancing a high level of integration of athletics and recreation into the overall student experience. The Director works collaboratively with development officers to endow student-athlete scholarships, raise capital campaign funds for the construction of new and renovated sports and recreation facilities, and generate support for programmatic and facility operations.
Representing the University and the interests of its officers, student-athletes, coaches, and staff in service to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), Eastern Collegiate Athletic Association (ECAC), the BIG EAST Conference, is an important responsibility of the Director. Additionally, the Director is responsible for forging collaborative working relationships with admissions, academic affairs, student affairs, and coaching staff to attract and retain highly talented student-athletes capable of balancing rigorous academics and demanding athletics, including post-season tournaments. The Director manages an organization with an operating budget of $20 million; 24 varsity sports in both men's and women's athletics; 900 student-athletes; 3,000 students engaged in recreation and fitness programs, club sports, and intramural activities; and a staff of approximately 200, inclusive of coaches, trainers, equipment managers, administrative personnel, facilities specialists, and recreation professionals.
Specific Responsibilities include:
Ensure a high quality student-athlete experience
Continue to elevate the competitiveness of the overall athletics program
Develop and execute a strategic plan for SJU Athletics
Supervise all administrative, operational and business functions of the Department in accordance with the policies and procedures established by the University
Identify and prioritize the Department’s funding requirements and administer the annual operating budget.
Recruit and provide leadership, organization and management of the coaching staff in order to attain optimal operational, academic, fiscal and athletic performance.
Supervise scheduling for all intercollegiate athletic events and facilities
Understand and foster student-athlete academic success
Enhance school spirit and engagement through SJU Athletics
Oversee compliance with all University, NCAA and Conference rules and regulations
Demonstrate commitment to inclusion and diversity in all regards
Cultivate and enhance relationships both on campus and in the community as necessary to support and represent the mission of the University and the Department of Athletics
Participate proactively as necessary in alumni, public relations and fund raising activities with all relevant constituencies
Raise the profile of the University through SJU Athletics
