Greg Amodio will be the university’s new director of athletics, President John Lahey announced at a press conference Wednesday morning.
Amodio, who served as director of athletics at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh since 2005, said he is excited to join the Bobcat family.
“Dr.Lahey’s vision and commitment to achieve at the highest academic and athletic levels is quite impressive,” Amodio said. “And based on my conversations throughout the search process, it is evident that the university community is fully engaged in making that vision a reality.”
As director of athletics at Duquesne, Amodio conducted successful national searches for new men’s and women’s basketball coaches, worked with Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh to host some men’s basketball games each season and co-directed the $6 million renovation of the university’s football, soccer and lacrosse field.
Amodio also served as the associate director for athletics at Xavier from 1998 to 2005. Duquesne and Xavier have similar qualities to Quinnipiac, Lahey said.
Lahey said Amodio is the “ideal candidate” to lead Quinnipiac Athletics.
“Under Greg’s leadership, I have no doubt that Quinnipiac’s student-athletes will continue to flourish at the highest levels, both on the field and in the classroom,” Lahey said in a statement. “We are excited to have him as our new director of athletics.”
Executive Vice President and Provost Mark Thompson said Amodio’s experience will make him a strong athletic director.
“His values and proven track record of success in Division I athletics make him well positioned to lead our Department of Athletics and student athletes,” Thompson said in a statement. “I am confident that he will build upon our strong reputation for offering a high-quality athletics program and ensure Quinnipiac’s continued advancement.”
Amodio is taking over for Jack McDonald, who served as Quinnipiac’s athletic director for 20 years. McDonald is retiring from his Quinnipiac position at the end of June, and will become the director of athletics at University of New England.
“Over the course of many years, Jack McDonald and his staff have laid the groundwork for an athletic department that is the envy of many,” Amodio said. “Moving forward, it is our responsibility to continue to grow the overall program, to an entity that will support the university mission and enhance its national brand.”
Women’s Basketball Head Coach Tricia Fabbri said she will be sad to see McDonald go, but is excited to work with Amodio.
“His connection with the sport of college basketball is evident as he was able to establish a relationship that has since translated into Duquesne serving as the host institution for what will be three NCAA Men’s Basketball First and Second Rounds in 2018,” Fabbri said in a statement. “I’m extremely confident Greg will do a great job of not only continuing to build on what Jack and President Lahey have established but also take this department to new heights.”
Men’s Ice Hockey Head Coach Rand Pecknold also said he is thrilled to have Amodio as athletic director.
“He is a phenomenal addition for Quinnipiac University,” Pecknold said in a statement. “Greg is a world class athletic director and his commitment to excellence is something that we continually strive for with our Men’s Ice Hockey program.”
Quinnipiac University Men’s Basketball Head Coach Tom Moore also said he is happy to welcome Amodio.
“I’m very enthusiastic to begin a relationship with someone who has been in a leadership role with two outstanding institutions in current BIG EAST member Xavier University and Atlantic-10 Conference member Duquesne University,” Moore said in a statement.
Amodio has a master’s degree in education from Queens College, City University of New York, and a bachelor’s degree in physical education and health from Davis and Elkins College. Amodio and his wife Kelly have two children, Jake, 22, and Alexandra, 19.
