Tech to welcome new AD

Sports

July 2, 2009

By Steve Keenan

WVU Tech will look to Frank S. Pergolizzi to steer its athletic department in the coming years.

According to a source, Pergolizzi agreed to terms with school officials Tuesday morning to serve as the Golden Bears’ athletics director. He is slated to begin his duties in Montgomery on July 23.

Pergolizzi is currently president of Pergolizzi Athletics Consulting and Management, based in Hilliard, Ohio. Since 2006, that firm has provided consulting and management services to collegiate and amateur athletic organizations, including a number of NCAA conferences and institutions.

Before entering the private business field, he served as athletics director over a 17-year period at three institutions — Southeastern Louisiana University (2000-06), East Tennessee State University (1998-2000) and Saint Francis College (1989-1998).

During his tenure at Southeastern Louisiana, the school’s teams claimed four conference championships, including 2005 NCAA tournament selections in both men’s basketball and women’s tennis. His ETSU stay featured three conference championships and winning seasons in men and women’s basketball, football, women’s volleyball and baseball. While at Saint Francis, the school’s athletics programs achieved much success, including four NCAA tournament appearances, eight conference championships, and two additional postseason appearances.

In addition to his administrative experience, he also coached for 13 years in college, including a six-year stint as head football coach at Saint Francis College, which is based in Loretto, Pa. In 1992, he led the football team to the most wins in the college’s history since 1912 (8-2-1 record) and an ECAC playoff berth.

Pergolizzi, who has an undergraduate degree from Williams College and a master’s from Western Michigan, replaces interim AD Pete Kelley, who retired during the spring.

The new AD was on a consulting trip and unavailable for comment Tuesday.

— E-mail:

skeenan@register-herald.com