Retired Saint Joseph's Director of Athletics Don DiJulia will be inducted into the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) Hall of Fame, it was announced today by the organization.
Joining DiJulia in the Hall of Fame Class of 2019 are: Bob Bonn, Carthage College; Peg Bradley-Doppes, University of Denver; Gene Doris, Fairfield University; Jim Forkum, Santa Rosa Junior College; Jack McDonald, Quinnipiac University; Bruce Parker, Rocky Mountain College and Judy Rose, UNC Charlotte.
The honorees will receive their awards on Wednesday, June 12 at NACDA's 54th Annual Convention at the Learfield IMG College Directors' Cup Luncheon, located at the World Center Marriott Resort in Orlando, Florida.
DiJulia, closed out his storied Saint Joseph's University career at the end of the 2017-18 academic year, which was his 50th overall in college athletics, and his 35th as Saint Joseph's athletics director over a span of two terms. From his beginnings as a student-athlete to his lengthy career as an administrator, he truly exemplified the Jesuit ideal of being a “man for others.”
Following his retirement from his role as AD, DiJulia assumed his current role of Special Assistant to the President at SJU, serving primarily as an advisor and representative of the University and of the President on campus, to alumni and with many external constituents.
He is a member of the Saint Joseph's Athletic Hall of Fame, the Big 5 Hall of Fame and the ECAC Hall of Fame. It was also announced in 2018 that the Atlantic 10 would be sponsoring the Don DiJulia Athletics Director Internship, to be awarded annually to a candidate aspiring to become an athletics director, who will serve a 10-month apprenticeship for the Atlantic 10 Conference.
DiJulia oversaw tremendous growth in the university's athletics programs. During his tenure, five varsity programs were added, a new weight training facility built, athletic fund drives initiated, and athletics facilities were updated and created. But at the center of his efforts was the enhancement of the student-athlete experience in a variety of programming efforts built around "Developing Everyday Champions.”
He was extremely involved in the intercollegiate athletic community, serving on the NACDA Executive Committee, Atlantic 10 Administrative Committee, as well as the conference's Finance Committee and Branding Committee.
DiJulia, who served on the NCAA Council, was honored at the 2009 NACDA Convention with the Gary Cunningham Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the Division I-AAA Athletics Directors Association (DI-AAA ADA), which is the highest award given by the organization. In 2005, he was chosen as the Northeast Regional Division I-AAA Athletic Director of the Year.
