INDIANA – Dr. Frank Condino, Indiana University of Pennsylvania Director of Athletics, will retire this December after more than 15 years leading the school's athletic program.
 
Condino has spent nearly 30 years representing IUP athletics either as an administrator or a coach. He began in 1984 as an assistant football coach, helping IUP to 53 wins and two Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) championships in six seasons. He moved off the field and into the offices in 1990 as the assistant athletic director and was appointed IUP's athletic director in July of 1999 after serving on an interim basis for one year.
 
Prior to becoming the head of the athletic department, Condino was IUP's associate athletic director from 1993 to 1998. He was in charge of the school's athletic facilities and intramurals, while also overseeing game management, special events, summer camps, the sports medicine program, and postseason championships and internal operations.
 
Condino's duties as athletic director include overseeing the daily activities of the school's 19 NCAA Division II varsity sports, including facilities, budget, personnel and compliance.
 
"What impresses me the most about Frank is how much he cares about our student-athletes and alumni," said IUP President Dr. Michael Driscoll. "He understands the importance of leadership and excellence on and off the field, and his actions and work set a strong example for all of us."
  
In addition to his commitments as athletic director, Condino has dedicated time and efforts to Hearts for the Hungry, Meeting God in Missions, and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

"We have always tried to create an environment where the student-athlete could reach their potential academically, athletically, and with community outreach," said Condino.

"I hope in some small way that we have accomplished that goal."
 
"Dr. Condino's commitment to the success of IUP's student-athletes has been a driving force for over two decades," said Dr. Rhonda Luckey, IUP's Vice President for Student Affairs. "Thousands of student-athletes have not only competed on the fields, courts, and pools, but excelled in the classroom, and as citizens. 
 
"Their service to the Indiana community is ever present, and, in recent years has been felt globally," she continued.
 
IUP athletics has been one of the top programs in all of the PSAC during Condino's tenure, racking up a total of 30 team conference championships in eight different sports. Seven individual student-athletes have won a combined 10 NCAA Division II national championships, and nine times IUP has finished in the top five of the Dixon Trophy standings – an award signifying the top all-round athletic program in the PSAC – including three second place tallies.
 
IUP student-athletes have also excelled in the classroom during Condino's term, as they've totaled 38 PSAC Top 10 awards, 10 CoSIDA Academic All-America's, 11 PSAC Champion Scholars, five PSAC Team GPA awards, and three NCAA Elite 89 awards.
 
The athletic facilities at IUP have also seen upgrades in the past 15 years, most notably the construction of the nearly $80 million, 5,000-seat Kovalchick Convention and Athletic Complex. Several other fields have seen improvements, including the South Campus facility with baseball (Owen J. Dougherty Stadium), softball (Ruth Podbielski Field) and women's soccer getting improvements. Brand new women's tennis courts were completed in 2012 and most recently, George P. Miller Stadium received a brand-new video board for use this upcoming 2014 fall season.
 
In addition to Condino's daily responsibilities as the athletic director, he's also served on numerous NCAA committees, including the Division II Football Championship Committee in which is he currently the chair.
 
The Johnsonburg, Pa. native earned his bachelor's degree in health and physical education from Lock Haven University in 1972. He went on to serve in the United States Marine Corps for three years, eventually becoming a 1st Lieutenant. He earned his master's in health and physical education from East Stroudsburg University in 1977 and his doctorate in sport and physical education administration from West Virginia University in 1987.
 
"IUP has a vision that our students will, through their IUP education, become leaders in the world," added Luckey. "Because of Dr. Condino's passion, expertise, and commitment, we can say without hesitation that our student-athletes, as proud graduates of IUP, have developed their skills and are leaders in their disciplines and their communities."