St. Joseph’s College Announces Retirement of Long Island Campus Athletic Director Donald Lizak
Patchogue, N.Y. – St. Joseph’s College (SJC) announces the retirement of long-time director of athletics, Donald Lizak, effective November 1, 2013. Lizak started with the College in June 1994 and has molded the program into a highly-regarded NCAA Division III institution in the northeast and a four-time winner of the Skyline Conference Presidents Cup.
Lizak oversaw SJC's transition into a full-fledged NCAA Division III member in 1997, following memberships in the CACC (Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference) and the NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics). During his tenure, the intercollegiate athletics program grew from eight varsity sports (with two support squads) to 19 (with one support squad) in a 19-year span. Under his guidance, the College debuted the John A. Danzi Athletic Center in 1997 and recently unveiled a 24.8 acre premiere state-of-the-art Outdoor Athletic Complex in March 2012. As part of his duties at SJC, Lizak also serves as the chairperson of the physical education department.
“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. 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,” said Lizak.
The Westhampton Beach resident’s career has spanned 38 years in college athletics including stints in athletic administration and coaching on the basketball court at Southampton College (Long Island University), Wagner College, St. John’s University, Queens College and C.W. Post (LIU). Before heading the Golden Eagles intercollegiate athletic department, he spent four years with the Metropolitan PGA (Professional Golfers’ Association) as tournament director.
Lizak’s early years at SJC featured indoor athletic teams playing on the old Seton Hall High School court on the Campus from 1994-1995, before moving to the Academy of St. Joseph’s in 1995 and remaining there until the Danzi Center opened in 1997. The outdoor teams played and practiced at various on- and off-campus venues through 2012 when the SJC Outdoor Complex opened.
The Golden Eagles maintained memberships in the Hudson Valley Men’s Athletic Conference, the Women’s Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) and the Independent Athletic Conference (IAC), and most recently the Skyline Conference, which the College officially joined in 1997 - initially with men’s basketball and growing to the 14 sports that they currently compete in. Current memberships also include the New Jersey Athletic Conference in track and field and the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association for equestrian. SJC is also a member of the ECAC (Eastern College Athletic Conference) which boasts over 300 schools in Divisions I, II and III.
The Golden Eagles have made 14 appearances in the NCAA Division III Tournament and have won numerous conference championships. In recent years, SJC ranked among the Skyline Conference leaders in scholar-athletes, a testament to the outstanding quality of academic achievements among its student-athletes.
Lizak served as commissioner of the Skyline Conference from 2002-2004 and has chaired or served on numerous regional athletic committees. He graduated from St. John’s University in Queens, N.Y. in 1971.
A national search will commence to find Lizak’s successor.