Quotes and notes from Providence's hiring Steve Napolillo as Athletic Director
Providence didn’t take long to announce Bob Driscoll’s replacement.
Driscoll is retiring this spring after an impressive 21-year career as the Athletic Director at Providence College, and the school announced late last week that he will be replaced by Steve Napolillo in June.
Napolillo is a 1998 graduate of Providence, and a Rhode Island native, who has long been Driscoll’s right hand man. Currently the Senior Associate Athletic Director at Providence, Napolillo “played a decisive part in securing more than $75 million in gifts while supporting strategic decision making for additional capital projects on campus including the renovation of Schneider Arena and Alumni Hall, Anderson Stadium's new soccer and lacrosse complex, the Ray Treacy Track and Field Complex and much more” according to a press release from Providence’s athletic department.
Napolillo is known as a tireless worker, relentless fundraiser, and a relationship builder with a deep passion for PC dating back to his childhood. Here are some of the noteworthy quotes from his introductory press conference on Friday afternoon at the Dunkin Donuts Center:
From Napolillo:
“As a young boy, my son’s age, I remember coming to this building (the Dunkin Donuts Center), falling in love with PC, and following my favorite player, Billy Donovan. Yesterday, I’m sitting in my office, I look at the phone and Billy Donovan’s calling me to say congratulations for being the next athletic director at my alma mater. That’s when I think it really hit me.”
“When he (PC President Father Ken Sicard) called me into his office and he told me he was making the decision, and asked me to be his next AD, I said ‘Father, I know this is a real difficult decision.’ He looked me in the eye and said, ‘Steve, this is an easy one for me.’”
“It’s our honor and our duty to make sure his legacy continues to go to the next level. Every time he comes back, every time we talk to him, every time we look at him, all of us in this room want to make Bob (Driscoll) proud. He’s been a mentor, he’s been a friend, but most of all he’s just a great person.”
“I didn’t want an outsider to come in and ruin this. I didn’t want somebody to take my teammates, who have worked so hard, and say, ‘No, I want my own people.’ These people have families. These people have dedicated years to Providence College. We’re going to take Bob’s legacy and keep moving it at the highest level.”
“I want to thank Coach Cooley. Coach Cooley has been a gift to Providence College and he means so much to what we do. (A lot of people ask me) ‘How does Ed feel about this change?’ All of us our nervous about change, but Ed, you’ve been an unbelievable friend, you’ve been an unbelievable source of advice, and the biggest gift is that we can have open, honest conversations – critical conversations and do what’s best for Providence College when we talk.
It’s important for everyone out there to know that Ed and I have been really, really close and I appreciate everything he’s done for me.”
“There were a lot of people who didn’t want him to hire me. He (Driscoll) came into my office when I worked in the Alumni Office and he said, ‘You know, I’m getting a lot of heat. They don’t really think you are ready to come. They don’t know if you can fundraise, but I need you. I know you’re the guy.”
From President Father Sicard:
“Steve has been Bob’s (Driscoll) right hand man. And I felt so strongly that we would be taking a huge risk of destroying this momentum we’ve been enjoying by bringing somebody in from the outside who might not understand our culture.”
“As President, I’m also a firm believer in recognizing and acknowledging and rewarding outstanding performance.”
From Bob Driscoll:
“Steve is like a son to me, and I love him dearly. He’s worked his tail off to be in this position, and I tell people all the time that there is nobody that loves Friartown as much as Steve does.”
“When I walked out of my office and I walked by Steve’s office, I saw a line of coaches going in to give Steve hugs, good wishes, and I saw some of them walking out with tears in their eyes. That’s when you know you’ve hired the right person.”
“If things were going off the rails, Steve had the courage to come into my office and tell me so.”
Finally, here are quotes from notable alumni and individuals in athletics:
"Promoting Steve is exactly the right thing to do at this point in our history. He has demonstrated the passion and skill to be a successful leader at PC. Bob Driscoll built an unbelievable foundation at PC and Steve will help continue the commitment to excellence that our athletic program represents. We are very excited for our future and for Steve's ability to lead us there. This is an amazing hire for Providence College. Steve has so much passion for the College and such a strong commitment to the student-athlete experience. He possesses a work ethic that is second to none. Steve is the ideal candidate to follow Bob Driscoll and continue the amazing job that he has done over the last 21 years. The last several decades have been some of the greatest in the history of the Friar Athletic Department, and Steve has played an integral role in that success."
— ESPN’s Doris Burke
"As a trustee working with the athletic department, I'm truly excited to see Steve get the opportunity to build on the already strong culture of Providence athletics. His understanding of the needs student athletes, strong relationships with our many excellent coaches and athletic staff, as well as his business and fundraising acumen uniquely qualify him for the role."
— Boston Celtics President Rich Gotham
"I've had the immense privilege of knowing Steve for the past two decades and have witnessed firsthand his uncanny ability to draw you in with his excitement and passion for Providence College athletics. I am certain he will tackle his new role in the same fastidious manner he has approached each new responsibility throughout his career: with fun, heart, and a deep-seeded drive to constantly get better. From his time in baseball with the PawSox, to bringing Providence College to Fenway Park for outdoor hockey, Steve's energy, attitude, and electric personality have been a constant. I know he will continue to serve the student athletes and the broader Providence College community with the same dedication he has brought to each of his successive roles."
— Boston Red Sox President Sam Kennedy