Courtesy of Salisbury University Communications

SALISBURY, Md. – After 44 years of dedicated service to Salisbury University, Dr. Gerry DiBartolo announced on Wednesday that he intends to retire as the Director of Athletics and Campus Recreation on June 30.

"It has been an absolute honor and privilege to be a part of the Sea Gull family for more than 40 years," said DiBartolo. "I had the incredible opportunity to work with so many tremendous people at SU and see the growth of countless student-athletes in the classroom and on the field. Words cannot describe the memories and experiences I will take from SU."

In the better part of four-plus decades on campus, DiBartolo was a coach, teacher, faculty member, academic and athletic administrator. During his tenure as Director of Athletics and Campus Recreation, Salisbury has continued the tradition of excellence on-and-off the field, courts, track and pool. Salisbury Athletics has won four team national championships, 10 individual national championships and 31 team conference championships and is consistently one of the top schools in the Learfield Directors Cup. Off the field, SU student-athletes excel in the classroom with over 1,500 students honored on the Conference All-Academic Teams and 19 garnering individual Academic All-Americans.

DiBartolo oversaw the completion and expansion of the East Campus Athletic Complex, which houses some of the finest outdoor athletic facilities not only Division III but the entirety of collegiate athletics. The complex updated and refurbished facilities for football, field hockey, men's and women's lacrosse, men's and women's soccer, baseball, softball, and men's and women's tennis along with additional space for club sports and recreation activities for all students at SU.

DiBartolo also spearheaded renovations to the University Fitness Center and Maggs Physical Activities Center with locker room, gym and swimming center enhancements and other renovations.

Before taking over as the Interim Director of Athletics and Campus Recreation in 2015 and subsequently full-time Director in 2017, DiBartolo was on the sidelines of the men's soccer program from 1979-2016. DiBartolo took over as the head coach in 1982 and amassed a career record of 412-180-60, which ranks in the top-50 all-time in career wins across all divisions and top-20 within Division III men's soccer. He was named Regional Coach of the Year six times, Capital Athletic Conference (CAC, now Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference) Coach of the Year seven times, won eight CAC Championships, and made 13 NCAA Tournament appearances during his tenure as head coach, including a trip to the NCAA semifinals in 2004.

In the classroom, DiBartolo was a faculty member in the Franklin P. Perdue School of Business. He taught marketing strategy and international marketing and served as the School's associate dean from 1998-2003.

"When I'm asked what is the key is to SU being so successful throughout the years, there is only one answer – the outstanding and hard-working campus community and the people that are dedicated to this University and it's students and I'm very thankful to have played a small role in it," he said. "I must also thank my family for their unwavering support throughout my career. I'm ready for new adventures and the next phase of my life."