SJC Athletic Director Retiring This Fall

St. Joseph's College has recently announced the upcoming retirement of athletic director Donald Lizak from their Long Island campus in Patchogue.

According to a release from the school, Lizak has been with the college since June 1994 and will be ending his time there on November 1. Lizak has seen the college through its transition into being a NCAA Divison III member in 1997, grew the school from eight varsity sports to 19, and under his guidance debuted the John A. Danzi Athletic Center in 1997 and the recently opened Outdoor Athletic Complex in March 2012. Lizak also serves as the chairperson of the physical education department at the college.

“When I look back, I could not have imagined a better atmosphere to work in, or a better staff to work with than the athletic department at St. Joseph’s," Lizak said in the release. "I will miss all of the coaches and staff who have done an amazing job over the years. It has truly been a team effort."

Lizak, a resident of Westhampton Beach, has been working for 38 years in college athletics and has also worked at Southampton College (Long Island University), Wagner College, St. John's University, Queens College and C.W. Post (LIU). Lizak has also spent four years with the Metropolitan PGA (Professional Golfers' Assoiation) as tournament director.

The college announced a national search will take place to find Lizak's successor.