NEW ROCHELLE, NY – In his eighth season at Iona College, Joe Pienta has been named the Director of Cross Country and Track & Field as announced by Vice President of Athletic Administration Rick Cole Jr. Pienta has served as Interim Director since the departure of Ricardo Santos in December.
 
"I am extremely excited to be the next to lead the Iona College cross country and track & field tradition," said Pienta. "In working with the program for the last seven-plus years, Iona has become a home to me. Coaching such an established and renowned program is simply a dream come true, and just as Ricardo Santos continued the success of Mick Byrne before him, it is my goal to sustain and strengthen what these legendary coaches have bestowed upon us."
 
The University at Albany graduate has been a part of the men's and women's cross country and track & field staff for the past eight years, serving as associate head coach for nearly three and half years before taking over for Santos this past winter.
 
In his time with the Maroon & Gold, four individuals have run sub-four minute miles including graduate student Chartt Miller this past indoor season and senior Liam Dee in 2017. The latter joined his father, Billy Dee, as the ninth father-son combination in world history to both accomplish the feat. Additionally, the men's cross country program has garnered 27 straight MAAC titles while the women's squad has captured back-to-back and 12 of the last 13 championships.
 
"I look forward to seeing Joe continue the tradition and example set before him," said Cole. "Joe is a passionate member of our community and will drive the same passion into his role as director."
 
"The cross country and track & field program is a staple of success and tradition at Iona College," said President Joseph E. Nyre, Ph.D. "Joe's dedication, passion and enthusiasm for the program makes him an exceptional choice to carry on the leadership set before him for future members of the Maroon & Gold."
 
Pienta came to New Rochelle after spending three seasons as an assistant coach at Binghamton University. Prior to Binghamton, Pienta served as a volunteer assistant at Columbia University.
 
A 2004 graduate of Albany, Pienta earned America East All-Conference honors in both cross country and track. He placed sixth at the conference's cross country championship in 2002 and eighth in 2003. In track, Pienta earned all-conference honors in the 5,000 meter at the 2002 America East Indoor Meet. In the classroom, Pienta was consistently named to the America East Commissioner's Honor Roll and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in history.
 
"I must thank President Nyre and Rick Cole for the opportunities they have provided me," Pienta added. "I must also thank Ricardo Santos, as I would not be in this position without him, nor would I have the skills and tools to succeed without his mentorship. Additionally, I want to thank the student-athletes; without their desire, determination, dedication, diligence, deference, and at times, decadence, there would be no team nor tradition to lead."
 
Pienta succeeds a pair of Hall of Fame coaches in Santos and Byrne. Santos enters the Iona College Goal Club Hall of Fame this upcoming June. Byrne, the current Director of Cross Country and Track & Field at the University of Wisconsin, was inducted in June 2008 following his departure to Madison.
 
"I'm very excited for Joe and he takes over the helm of the program," said Santos. "Joe has been part of the Iona family for over seven years and has done a great job as an assistant coach. The time is right for him to take over and he is well deserved of this opportunity to lead the next generation of student-athletes at Iona."
 
"Joe has served his apprenticeship under Ricardo. He understands the responsibility thrust upon him as the leader of the Gaels' cross country and track & field programs," said Byrne. "Iona College is a very special place. Keeping this job in our family is important. Joe understands the nuances of the day-to-day challenges of running a combined men's and women's program. He is well prepared to continue the programs' rich tradition of excellence, and I wish him a ton of success."
 
The Gaels compete in the 2018 MAAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships this weekend in Lawrenceville, N.J.