Summer 2004

A Vision for the future of Iona College Athletics

I am extremely proud to have been selected to lead the Iona College Athletic Department. To say I am excited about this opportunity would be a major understatement. Iona has meant so much to me over the past 11 years and to be able to serve in my new capacity is a dream come true.

The transition period over the past few weeks has been an absolute whirlwind; the support from so many people in the Iona College Community has been overwhelming and has eased the move into my new position.

With every new challenge, the need for self-evaluation is absolutely vital. The Iona College Athletic Department is no exception. With an eye on the past and one on the future, we will closely evaluate where we are as a department, find out what we do well, and then decide where we want to go. In doing this we establish the department's short term and long term goals. We have many challenges ahead of us, but with the help of the many friends, fans and supporters of Iona College Athletics, we can set out towards achieving our goals for our 400-plus student-athletes.

It is with this in mind that I share with you our department's new vision.

Departmental Vision

In order to achieve real success, we as a department need to have an understanding of where we are and a vision for where we would like to go. In accordance with the Mission of Iona College we will use a student-athlete centered vision that will be focused on four principals.

? The Iona College Athletics program is consistently one of the most respected programs in the MAAC conference. As a department we will continue to help our student-athletes reach their full potential while being a source of pride for the Iona College community.

? By continuing to provide the necessary resources to each and every student-athlete, Iona College will strive to achieve a 100% graduation rate amongst our student-athletes.

? Through administrative and coaching leadership each team competes for conference and in some cases, national championships.

? The Iona College Athletic Department, at all times and in all facets of its operation, will exercise fiscal diligence while also utilizing innovative approaches to revenue generation to help us achieve our student-athlete centered vision and goals.

Where are we?

Iona College Athletics has made great strides in recent years to establish itself among the top institutions both regionally and nationally. Some highlights include:

? Iona College student-athletes achieved a combined 3.10 grade-point average last year. A record 101 student-athletes were represented on the 2003-04 MAAC/NY Lottery Academic Honor Roll. Each of the Gaels' 21 Division I programs were represented on the list.

? The men's cross country team placed fourth at the NCAA Championship - the highest finish by any Iona team at a national championship. Richard Kiplagat, Mark Smyth and Joe McAlister each earned All-America honors for head coach Mick Byrne's Gael squad.

? The continued improvement of our men's and women's soccer teams, as Fernando Barboto and Emma Hayes each enter their second seasons.

? The football team enjoyed its best season in over a decade, winning six games and finishing second in the MAAC Football League during the 2003 season. Kevin Fales, who signed a free agent deal with the New York Jets, was named an AFCA All-American and was selected as the MAAC's Defensive Player of the Year.

? The inaugural season of the women's lacrosse program, coached by Lauren Rywak, scheduled to start competition in the Spring of 2005.

? 36 student-athletes were named to All-MAAC teams, including five who were honored individually: Kevin Fales ? MAAC Football Defensive Player of the Year; Nat Modica ? MAAC Football Offensive Rookie of the Year; Toni Horvath ? MAAC Women's Basketball Rookie of the Year; Alison Higgs ? MAAC Softball Player of the Year; Brian Parish ? MAAC Baseball Relief Pitcher of the Year; and Kaitlin Kelley ? MAAC Water Polo Offensive Player of the Year.

? The addition of two new administrators - C.J. Huddleston and Ryan Satalin. Both will be tasked with increasing departmental revenue, an absolutely vital operation to help us achieve our goals.

How do we get there?

You can trace much of the past success of the Iona College Athletic Department back to its many alumni, friends, fans and supporters. As we enter another era of Gael Athletics, the need to raise funds has never been more important. The time is now for the Iona College community to step up and support our program in any way you can.

From my experience as a student-athlete to my current role as Acting Athletics Director, I have witnessed first-hand the passion and enthusiasm from our many ardent supporters. As Iona strives to achieve its student-athlete centered vision, I am quite confident that energy will continue. There are new fundraising goals that need to be achieved and through the help of so many outstanding alumni, friends, fans, and supporters of Iona Athletics, I firmly believe that we will achieve our goals.

As the new school year quickly approaches, Iona College is buzzing with activity and excitement. I encourage all of our alumni and friends to come visit us, at an athletic contest, one of our many gatherings, or just to stop in and say hello.

Thank you again for your continued support and I look forward to seeing each of you in the very near future!

Go Gaels!

If you have any comments, questions or concerns, please click here to e-mail Athletics Director Patrick Lyons