Maine Hockey Journal

UNE names new Athletic Director

The University of New England announced Monday it’s named Jack McDonald as the school’s new Director of Athletics.

McDonald was also named Associate Vice President.

“Jack McDonald is the consummate builder,” said UNE President Danielle Ripich. “He brings to UNE, Maine’s largest private university, his experience, enthusiasm and energy to build our growing athletics program. We all welcome him and a new era of leadership for our athletics program.”

McDonald comes to UNE from NCAA Division I Quinnipiac University, where he served as the Bobcats’ director of athletics for 20 years. Prior to his tenure at Quinnipiac, McDonald was director of athletics at the University of Denver and assistant athletic director for marketing at Boston College.

His hire comes after a national search to replace Kim Allen, former UNE athletic director who resigned after nine years at the school.

“Jack’s record really speaks for itself,” said Ripich. “As UNE continues to grow its program, his history of stewardship around athletics will be a significant contribution.”

McDonald also has immense experience with both facility management and NCAA Division I hockey. He was the athletic director during one of Quinnipiac’s most successful sports seasons.

McDonald played an integral role in the design, construction and dedication of the TD Bank Sports Center and brokered television, radio and Internet packages for the Bobcats, including competitions seen on NESN, ESPN3, and ESPNU.

Quinnipiac won 33 conference championships and made 21 NCAA Championship appearances during McDonald’s tenure and had its most successful sports season in 2012-13 when the Bobcats garnered four conference titles, saw three teams advance to Final Fours, and two squads compete for a national championship. That same academic year, Quinnipiac had its highest department-wide cumulative grade point average and had the most student-athletes ever with a GPA of 3.1 or higher.

One of McDonald’s first orders of business will be to hire a new head coach to lead the men’s ice hockey program to replace outgoing to head coach Brad Holt. The school has already begun a nationwide search

“I look forward to assisting President Ripich, John Tumiel, and the entire athletic staffs at the University of New England,” McDonald commented. “UNE is a beautiful campus with outstanding leadership and excellent programs and facilities.”

McDonald has been very active with committee work at the national level. He is chairperson of the NCAA Women’s Ice Hockey Committee and recently finished a term on the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) Executive Committee. He previously served on the NCAA Championships and Competition Cabinet, as well as being chairperson of the NCAA Men’s Ice Hockey Committee. McDonald was president of Great Western Lacrosse from 2006-08 and has also been the president of the New England ICAAA, the regional governing body of men’s track and field.

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