Cleveland, Ohio -- The members of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) have chosen Gene DeFilippo, director of athletics at Boston College, to serve as president for 2004-05. DeFilippo was elected during NACDA's 39th Annual Convention, held June 11-13 at the Wyndham Anatole Hotel in Dallas, Texas.

Also elected to serve NACDA for the 2004-05 term were 1st Vice President Tim Curley, director of athletics at Penn State University; 2nd Vice President Lee McElroy, director of athletics at the University at Albany; 3rd Vice President Kevin White, director of athletics at University of Notre Dame; and Greg Feris, director of athletics at Wayland Baptist University, to the first year of a five year term as secretary.

Executive Committee members selected include athletics director Andy Geiger of Ohio State University as a University Division representative. New At-Large representatives are Bridget Belgiovine, director of Division III at the NCAA; Marcy Girton, associate athletics director at Texas Christian University; Jody Mooradian, associate athletics director at Boston College; and Carol Sprague, senior associate athletics director at the University of Pittsburgh.

NACDA, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary, serves as the professional and educational association for more than 6,100 college athletics directors, associates, assistants and conference commissioners at more than 1,600 institutions throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. NACDA offers numerous educational and networking opportunities to its members. Additionally, NACDA administers the United States Sports Academy Directors' Cup program, which honors the all-sports champion in each of the NCAA Divisions I, II and III and the NAIA. NACDA also publishes Athletics Administration, an informative national magazine considered the voice of college athletics administration, six times a year.

Gene DeFilippo, Director of Athletics, Boston College NACDA President

Gene DeFilippo was named the director of athletics at Boston College in 1997 and recently received a contract extension though 2009. Since his arrival, DeFilippo's innovative leadership style has been instrumental in developing a BC program that continues to grow and succeed in athletics, fund raising and academics. DeFilippo has made a significant impact on the program internally, but his influence also extends into the Boston community and beyond to the national level. He is now poised to lead the program through one of the most significant periods in its history as it transitions to full membership in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Under DeFilippo's leadership, 317 BC student-athletes maintained a grade point average of 3.0 or better during the 2002-03 academic year. In its March 18, 2002 issue, U.S. News and World Report honored Boston College as one of the top 20 athletics departments in the country. DeFilippo also initiated an impressive overhaul of BC's athletics facilities.

Through DeFilippo's leadership, cash gifts received during the 2002-03 year reached a record level of $9 million. Combined with a $15 million gift from the Yawkey Foundation, fund raising for BC athletics reached a record $24 million. The $53 million raised during the "Ever to Excel" Campaign represents the most successful fund-raising initiative in the history of Boston College athletics. Gifts secured during the campaign exceeded the total dollars committed during the previous 30 years.

In athletics competition, DeFilippo has overseen some of the most successful seasons in Boston College athletics history. The 2002 Eagles football team appeared in a college-record fourth consecutive bowl game and won its third straight. The 2002-03 women's basketball team advanced to the NCAA's "Sweet Sixteen" for the first time in college history, and the men's team also appeared in postseason competition. The men's soccer team advanced to the NCASS' "Elite Eight" for the first time and women's softball also advanced to the NCAA Tournament. In 2001, the men's ice hockey team won its second NCAA championship.

DeFilippo also remains extremely active on the national scene. In addition to serving as president of NACDA, he is also president of the Division I-A Athletics Directors Association and is a member of the Honors Court and the board of directors of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame. He is a former representative to the NCAA Division I Management Council.

DeFilippo was named the 2000-01 Division I-A Northeast Region NACDA/Continental Airlines AD of the Year. He received the "Penguin of the Year" Award from Youngstown State University in 2003 and the Distinguished Alumni Award from Springfield College in 2001.

At Boston College, DeFilippo is responsible for the administration and management of a broad-based athletics program committed to the pursuit of excellence in both intercollegiate competition and academic achievement. The Boston College program is comprised of approximately 750 student-athletes participating in 31 men's and women's varsity sports, all of which compete at the NCAA Division I level, in addition to a wide variety of intramural recreation and club sports.

Previously, DeFilippo served as director of athletics at Villanova University (1993-97), the University of South Carolina Spartanburg (1984-87) and as director of administrative services for Vanderbilt University from 1983-84.

DeFilippo earned his bachelor's degree from Springfield College and his master's degree from the University of Tennessee.

-30-