Providence College Athletics
Photo by: Stew Milne
Steve Napolillo Officially Begins As The Athletic Director At Providence College
7/1/2022 11:47:00 AM | Athletic Department
He replaces Bob Driscoll, who served for 21 years as the leader of the department.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Today (July 1) officially marks the first day for Steve Napolillo as the Athletic Director at Providence College. On January, 26, 2022, Providence College President Rev. Kenneth R. Sicard O.P., '78, '82G named Steven Napolillo '98, as the College's next vice president and director of athletics. He replaced long-time Friar Athletics Director Bob Driscoll, who announced his retirement in January 2022 after serving the College for 21 years and worked his final day at Providence College on June 30.
"I am excited to officially begin my tenure as Athletic Director at Providence College," Napolillo said. "I am grateful for the opportunity to work with my teammates and coaches to strive for excellence while giving our student athletes the support they need to be successful in all areas. I am thankful to Father Sicard for giving me this incredible opportunity and for the confidence he has shown in me. Lastly, I look forward to building on an amazing legacy that has been created over the last 21 years under Bob Driscoll. He has been a mentor, friend, and father figure."
"I am so happy for Steve, his family and Friartown," Driscoll said. "Steve will do a great job. It is a dynamic time in the world of college athletics, but I leave feeling confident that Providence College and its leadership are well positioned for a successful future. I am blessed to have been able to spend the last 21 years as a part of such a special place. I am a Friar for life!"
Napolillo began his career at PC in 2004 as assistant director of athletic relations, where he rose through the ranks to director of athletic development, then to associate athletic director for external relations, and finally senior associate athletic director/assistant vice president for external relations, a position he has held at the College since 2014. He also has held the position of men's basketball administrator for the past three seasons.
During his tenure at PC, Napolillo has overseen many facets of athletics. He played an integral role in coach searches resulting in the hiring of Head Men's Ice Hockey Coach Nate Leaman, Head Men's Basketball Coach Ed Cooley, Head Women's Soccer Coach Sam Lopes, and Head Women's Ice Hockey Coach Matt Kelly.
As a fundraiser, he played a decisive part in securing more than $75 million in gifts while supporting strategic decision making for additional capital projects on campus including the renovation of Schneider Arena and Alumni Hall, Anderson Stadium's new soccer and lacrosse complex, the Ray Treacy Track and Field Complex and much more. He also worked closely with major gift donors as lead solicitor to secure a $10 million gift for the $30 million renovation of the Ruane Friar Development Center. The Friars Forever Athletic Fund, which was established to support 19 teams, was developed and led by Napolillo. He has overseen the PC Athletic marketing, ticketing, and development office for the last decade during which time sales doubled to reach over $5.3 million dollars in ticket sale revenue.
For the last two years, Napolillo worked with senior staff and college teammates to help navigate PC Athletics through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prior to joining Providence College Athletics, Napolillo was director of merchandising and corporate sales for the Pawtucket Red Sox. He was a member of longtime Pawtucket Red Sox General Manager, the late Lou Schwechheimer's, personal advisory board for his mission to bring baseball back to Cuba and AAA baseball to Wichita.
Napolillo earned his bachelor's degree in political science in 1998 from Providence College and is completing a master's degree program in sports management at Georgetown University. A 1994 graduate of Bishop Hendricken High School, he has been a member of A Wish Come True in Rhode Island for the past twenty years and a board member for the last three. Napolillo and his wife Bethany reside in North Kingstown, RI with their son Drew and daughter Avery.
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"I am excited to officially begin my tenure as Athletic Director at Providence College," Napolillo said. "I am grateful for the opportunity to work with my teammates and coaches to strive for excellence while giving our student athletes the support they need to be successful in all areas. I am thankful to Father Sicard for giving me this incredible opportunity and for the confidence he has shown in me. Lastly, I look forward to building on an amazing legacy that has been created over the last 21 years under Bob Driscoll. He has been a mentor, friend, and father figure."
"I am so happy for Steve, his family and Friartown," Driscoll said. "Steve will do a great job. It is a dynamic time in the world of college athletics, but I leave feeling confident that Providence College and its leadership are well positioned for a successful future. I am blessed to have been able to spend the last 21 years as a part of such a special place. I am a Friar for life!"
Napolillo began his career at PC in 2004 as assistant director of athletic relations, where he rose through the ranks to director of athletic development, then to associate athletic director for external relations, and finally senior associate athletic director/assistant vice president for external relations, a position he has held at the College since 2014. He also has held the position of men's basketball administrator for the past three seasons.
During his tenure at PC, Napolillo has overseen many facets of athletics. He played an integral role in coach searches resulting in the hiring of Head Men's Ice Hockey Coach Nate Leaman, Head Men's Basketball Coach Ed Cooley, Head Women's Soccer Coach Sam Lopes, and Head Women's Ice Hockey Coach Matt Kelly.
As a fundraiser, he played a decisive part in securing more than $75 million in gifts while supporting strategic decision making for additional capital projects on campus including the renovation of Schneider Arena and Alumni Hall, Anderson Stadium's new soccer and lacrosse complex, the Ray Treacy Track and Field Complex and much more. He also worked closely with major gift donors as lead solicitor to secure a $10 million gift for the $30 million renovation of the Ruane Friar Development Center. The Friars Forever Athletic Fund, which was established to support 19 teams, was developed and led by Napolillo. He has overseen the PC Athletic marketing, ticketing, and development office for the last decade during which time sales doubled to reach over $5.3 million dollars in ticket sale revenue.
For the last two years, Napolillo worked with senior staff and college teammates to help navigate PC Athletics through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prior to joining Providence College Athletics, Napolillo was director of merchandising and corporate sales for the Pawtucket Red Sox. He was a member of longtime Pawtucket Red Sox General Manager, the late Lou Schwechheimer's, personal advisory board for his mission to bring baseball back to Cuba and AAA baseball to Wichita.
Napolillo earned his bachelor's degree in political science in 1998 from Providence College and is completing a master's degree program in sports management at Georgetown University. A 1994 graduate of Bishop Hendricken High School, he has been a member of A Wish Come True in Rhode Island for the past twenty years and a board member for the last three. Napolillo and his wife Bethany reside in North Kingstown, RI with their son Drew and daughter Avery.
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2019 Providence College All-Sports Gala
Wednesday, May 01
