NEW ROCHELLE, NY – Iona College recently announced the promotion of Rick Cole Jr. to Vice President of Athletics Administration. Cole was named the ninth Director of Athletics at Iona College history in May 2013.
“Rick Cole has served with honor and integrity as Director of Athletics at Iona College for almost four years,” said Joseph E. Nyre, Ph.D., president of Iona College. “We are very proud of the direction of the athletic department and look forward to continued academic and athletic success under Rick’s leadership.”
“I am thrilled to be able to continue to position our student-athletes for success in competition, in the classroom, in the community and in life,” said Cole. “President Nyre has played a pivotal role in our accomplishments and we look forward to continued support from the College and the Iona community.”
Anchored by its men’s and women’s basketball and cross country programs, the Maroon & Gold has captured 13 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championships since Cole’s arrival in 2013. This past fall, men’s cross country earned its 26th straight MAAC title. The women’s program has won 11 of the last 12 following its win in October. The Iona men’s basketball program earned MAAC regular season crown in 2013-14 and 2014-15. After a second place finish in the regular season, head coach Tim Cluess’ Gaels won the tournament championship in 2016. Head coach Billi Godsey led Iona women’s basketball to a regular season championship in 2013-14 and a tournament victory last year. Iona’s softball program captured a MAAC championship in the spring of 2014.
Under Cole’s direction, the Iona College athletic department has recorded record numbers in revenue generation and fund-raising. In addition to the annually successful Goal Club Hall of Fame Golf Outing, Iona hosted its “Meet the Coaches” event for the first time in Hynes Center arena in 2014 to showcase the new video boards. The baseball team hosted its inaugural “First Pitch Dinner” in 2015, attracting future Major League Baseball hall of famer Mariano Rivera to deliver the keynote address of the evening. Revenue from season ticket sales and corporate partnerships has also reached levels that have not been seen previously in his short time in New Rochelle.
Cole has looked to instill his core mission at Iona and do more than just build a great athletic program. Iona Athletics aspires to shape future leaders and build champions in athletics, academics, in the community and in life. In implementing the mission, Iona looks to instill in each of its student-athletes the understanding they should serve as role models for other students; exemplifying achievement in their sports, in their studies and service on behalf of their community.
Iona has also looked to transform student-athlete experience with the implementation of several capital and improvement projects over the last three and a half years. Most recently, the department finished renovations to its student-athlete academic center located in the Hynes East. The former varsity weight room completed a transition that more than doubles the academic study areas for Iona student athletes. The room contains improved working stations and technology for student-athletes to progress in the classroom.
The entrance into ESPN’s School Productions program began in the winter of 2016. After broadcasting six men’s and women’s basketball games in February, the program expanded to the entire 2016-17 home basketball slate and continue expansion to women’s lacrosse in the spring and men’s and women’s soccer and volleyball next fall. Not only does the project allow for expanded exposure for Iona’s athletic programs, but partners the College with the ESPN brand, serves as an opportunity for students to get hand-on professional broadcast experience at the highest levels and help to complement academic programs in Mass Communications and our Sports, Entertainment and Media Business.
Additional projects since 2013 included a rebranding of the Iona athletics marks and a partnership with Adidas to be the official supplier of athletic equipment for the department. The rebranding focused on giving the athletic programs one “Iona” to display on their uniforms and practice gear. The “Iona Gaels” word mark features a silhouette of the Celtic cross that is displayed on the official seal of Iona College. In conjunction with the rebranding, the Hynes Center arena earned a facelift and two 20’ x 14’ high-definition video boards were installed to not only support men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball contests, but numerous other campus events held in the venue throughout the year.
Cole came to New Rochelle after extensive time as an athletics administrator at Dowling College, St. John's University, Stony Brook University and his alma mater, the University at Buffalo. He received his Bachelor's degree in 1992 and Master's in Education in 1994, both from Buffalo. He currently resides in Oakdale with his wife Brooke and three children Taylor (18), Mackenzie (16) and Trey (15).