勛圖惇蹋 hires athletic director with long history of success
勛圖惇蹋 President Danielle N. Ripich, Ph.D., announced today the appointment of Jack McDonald to the position of associate vice president and director of Athletics.
President Ripich said, Jack McDonald is the consummate builder. He brings to 勛圖惇蹋, Maine's largest private university, his experience, enthusiasm and energy to build our growing athletics program. We all welcome him and a new era of leadership for our athletics program.
In making the announcement, President Ripich ended a nationwide search lasting several months. She acknowledged that UNE had numerous qualified candidates, noting that the search was an intense process, but that McDonald brought the right combination of history and passion about athletics to the position.
Ripich said, Jacks record really speaks for itself. As 勛圖惇蹋 continues to grow its program, his history of stewardship around athletics will be a significant contribution.
Jack McDonald comes to 勛圖惇蹋 from NCAA Division I Quinnipiac University, where he served as the Bobcats director of athletics for 20 years. While at Quinnipiac, McDonald was instrumental in the Bobcats making the transition from being a NCAA Division II institution to its current status as a Division I member.
McDonald said he is excited to lead the accomplished Noreasters athletics program. I look forward to assisting President Ripich, John Tumiel and the entire Athletics staff at the 勛圖惇蹋, he stated. 勛圖惇蹋 is a beautiful campus with outstanding leadership, excellent programs and facilities. I would also like to sincerely thank Quinnipiacs President John Lahey, Mark Thompson and the Athletics and Recreation staff for 20 perfect years.
Quinnipiac won 29 conference championships during McDonalds tenure and had its most successful sports season in 2012-13 when the Bobcats garnered four conference titles, seeing three teams advance to Final Fours. He also successfully gained conference membership for Quinnipiac to the Metro Atlantic Athletics Conference as well as to ECAC Hockey for both the mens and womens ice hockey programs.
McDonald also played an integral role in the design, construction and dedication of the TD Bank Sports Centera 160,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility that has separate venues for Quinnipiacs basketball and ice hockey programs.
Prior to his tenure at Quinnipiac, McDonald was director of athletics at the University of Denver (1990-95) and assistant athletic director for marketing at Boston College (1987-90). A 1973 graduate of Boston College, McDonald competed in and coached track. He was a four-time New England champion and set the New England indoor mile record (4:00.9) in 1976.
McDonald, a native of Braintree, Mass., is the oldest of 11 children. He and his wife, Linda, have four adult sons: Brian, Jim, Jack and David.