SALISBURY, Md. – Dr. Gerry DiBartolo, Salisbury University's former Director of Athletics and Campus Recreation, dedicated more than four decades of his professional life to SU in many facets, including coaching men's soccer, teaching as faculty in the Franklin P. Perdue School of Business and serving as director of athletics, overseeing SU's 21 varsity sports.

The recently retired DiBartolo will be celebrated for his dedication to SU prior to the men's and women's soccer teams' alumni games on Saturday, August 26. During the ceremony, the soccer complex will be renamed as the Gerry DiBartolo Sea Gull Soccer Complex.

"Gerry's dedication, hard work and passion for Salisbury left a lasting impact on not only the soccer fields but on the countless lives he touched," said SU President Dr. Carolyn Ringer Lepre. "I'm honored that we are able to pay tribute to someone who gave so much to the soccer programs, athletics and recreation departments, and the University as a whole."

DiBartolo served on SU's campus for 44 years, including 37 years on the soccer sidelines from 1979-2016. He 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 in 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.

"I could have never imagined a complex being named after me," said DiBartolo. "When I came to SU, I wanted to teach and mentor young people to prepare them for success after graduation, enjoy their athletic experience at SU and be proud to be part of the Sea Gull family. I have had so many wonderful memories at Salisbury, and I'm incredibly humbled and grateful for this recognition."

DiBartolo retired in July after seven years as the Director of Athletics and Campus Recreation. He was also a faculty member for nearly four decades in the Perdue School. He taught marketing strategy and international marketing and served as the school's associate dean from 1998-2003.

Both SU soccer teams begin the 2023 season on Friday, Sept. 1. The men's soccer team will host the annual Elmer Lord Classic and begin the tournament against Rowan at 2 p.m. The women's soccer team will be on the road at the Seahawk Classic in St. Mary's against Greensboro at 6 p.m. The SU women will begin the home schedule on Wednesday, Sept. 6 against Washington College at 4 p.m.

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Salisbury University is a proud member of NCAA Division III with primary membership in the Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference, along with the New Jersey Athletic Conference for football and men's and women's swimming, and the Coastal Lacrosse Conference for men's lacrosse. With over 500 student-athletes in 21 varsity sports, SU is recognized as one of the most competitive intercollegiate athletics programs regardless of division, and dedicated coaches and staff that foster excellence on-and-off the field. The Sea Gulls have celebrated 23 team national championships, 24 individual national champions, 196 conference championships and 44 Academic All-Americans.

To Make Tomorrow Yours at Salisbury University, and learn more about Sea Gull Athletics' tradition of excellence, visit www.SUSeaGulls.com or on social media @SUSeaGulls.