USD Baseball 1998

Director of Athletics

Tom Iannacone is in his tenth year as the University of San Diego Director of Ath- letics. He assumed the position Sept. 1, 1988 after a nationwide search. In the last nine years behind his direction and leadership, Torero Athletics has enjoyed successes both on and off the playing field . His accomplishments at USO include an

internal reorganization of the athletic department, plus im- provements in the major areas of personnel, scholarship assis- tance, facilities, promotions and marketing, fund raising, drug education, academic support, and a university approved plan for scholarship support and sports sponsorship. In addition, he was instrumental in USO gaining membership to the Pioneer Football League, which began play in 1993. He is a member of the I-AA Athletic Directors Association Executive Commit- tee; and is past Chainnan of the West Coast Conference Athletic Directors Committee. During lannacone's tenure, facilities at the USD Sports Center, along with all athletic fields , have seen vast improve- ments. Improvements at the Sports Center include complete renovations of both the north and south wings that added offices for administrators and coaches; additional locker rooms for women's basketball , volleyball and women's soccer; an athletic department conference room; and an academic sup- port room. Torero Stadium, where football and men's and women's soccer compete, was widened to accommodate soccer, and added a state-of-the-art lighting system and scoreboard. On the playing fields, USO has sent 19 teams '.o NCAA Tournaments since lannacone's arrival in the Fall of 1988. Additionally, the school has captured five conference cham- pionships; nineteen NCAA All-Americans; fifteen CoSIDA/ GTE Academic All-Americans; eleven conference Coaches of the Year; ten conference Players of the Year; and three West Coast Conference Scholar-Athletes of the Year. Prior to USD, Iannacone built an impressive list of creden- tials at St. Francis College as Director of Athletics between 1984-87. His major contributions included the expansion of sports offerings and scholarships for both men and women, improved budgets, renovation of athletic facilities , the hiring of additional staff, and the establishment of a master plan for the future and continual development of athletics. He served as assistant Director of Athletics at Fordham University between 1977-84. Along with his administrative duties, he was assistant football coach for the Rams. In 1983 he was presented the prestigious Jack Coffey Award by the Alumni Association for his outstanding contributions to Fordham athletics. Prior to Fordham, Iannacone taught physical education and coached track and field , and football in Connecticut Public School Districts from 1964-76. A 1964 graduate of the University of Connecticut, Iannacone received his master of science degree in physical education from Southern Con- necticut State University in 1973. Tom and his wife, Cynthia, have three children : Tom Jr. , Jennifer and Eric. All three are graduates of the University of San Diego.

-3--