General 10/22/2021 10:27:00 PM

CUNYAC veteran Stephen Spagnoli tabbed Medgar Evers SID

The Medgar Evers College Department of Athletics announced Friday morning that longtime media relations veteran Stephen Spagnoli has been hired as the new Director of Sports Information.

"Stephen is a professional who in addition to being a veteran of working in the CUNY Athletic Conference across four previous member institutions, also boasts an extremely diversified portfolio, having developed multiple skills during his tenures at those CUNY schools, as well as Berkeley College," Director of Athletics Chetara Murphy said. "He is very passionate about sports information responsibilities, and is well-versed in the business side of the operation as well. We are gratified and excited to have him here at Medgar Evers."

As the Cougars' new Sports Information Director, Spagnoli will be tasked with updating all content for the institution's athletics website – MECAthletics.com – while also increasing the department's social media presence across platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. He will also keep live statistics for home games, produce athletic brochures, video stream home contests, create game programs, produce weekly award content, and promote student-athletes and staff, among other responsibilities. Following his hire, Spagnoli spoke.

"It is an honor and a privilege to have the opportunity to bring my unique professional style to Medgar Evers," Spagnoli said. "I'd like to thank Director of Athletics Chetara Murphy and the wonderful professionals in administration for selecting me as the person to fill this vacancy. During a 19-year career at five previous institutions, I feel as though I have created a resume of depth that truly exposes my versatility, and I look forward to incorporating numerous aspects of that versatility at Medgar Evers. With the full-time return of athletics, it's an exciting time for college sports, and I look forward to giving this institution everything I have in promoting our administrators, coaches, and student-athletes to the max."

Prior to his appointment at Medgar Evers, Spagnoli's previous full-time role was at Berkeley College, where he served as the Assistant Director of Athletics. During his 6.5-year tenure at Berkeley (December 2013-June 2020), Spagnoli was a vital member of the department, taking on a plethora of business and administrative duties. He designed and implemented a new state-of-the-art athletics website, handled all media relations obligations (pre-game and post-game articles, website maintenance, statistics, game programs, etc). In addition, he was the department's Scheduling Coordinator, while also booking lodging, solidifying buses, and reserving meals on travel days for all teams. Spagnoli also served as a key component in the planning and execution of the college's annual Athletics Banquet, and was the lone sports information contact for Berkeley College's teams at all USCAA National championships since March of 2014. During Spagnoli's tenure at Berkeley, the institution captured five USCAA Division II titles (four for men's basketball, one for New York men's soccer), and a combination of 10 Hudson Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Conference crowns.

Most recently, Spagnoli served as the Sports Information Director at Bronx Community College from January 2018 through August 2021 under Ryan McCarthy. There, he increased the department's social media presence, promoting the student-athletes on various platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube, while also redesigning and maintaining the department's athletics website, BronxBroncos.com. Spagnoli served as a member of the department's hiring committee, and was a key component in the planning and execution of the department's annual athletics banquet. The CUNYAC veteran provided statistics for teams on home game nights, and constructed game programs, brochures, and graphics.

Spagnoli previously served for two years as the Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Information at the City College of New York (2010-2012). Prior to that, he worked at Lehman College, where he spent three years (2007-2010) as the Lightning's Director of Sports Information and Intramural Coordinator. Spagnoli, a Staten Island, NY native, also spent five years as a Sports Information Assistant at the College of Staten Island (2002-2007). While there, he was a member of CSI's radio station WSIA from March of 2003 until the summer of 2006.

During his time at the City College of New York, Spagnoli was involved in all facets of game management, including statistical maintenance, game program construction, staff assignments, and public address announcing. In addition, he assisted in the planning and supervision of many of the department's premiere events, including annual student-athlete awards banquets and alumni golf outings; he also oversaw the operations of the Nat Holman Gymnasium on evenings when the facility was rented by outside groups and organizations.

At Lehman College, Spagnoli was responsible for all facets of sports information and was very pivotal in the implementation of many different new features, including the "Lightning Strikes" monthly newsletter, weekly podcasts, baseball and softball media guides, and coaching shows.

At the College of Staten Island, Spagnoli organized clips, compiled statistics for the department's home games, helped out with the scheduling and implementation of the intramural program, and posted flyers around campus. As his tenure progressed, he began taking on more in-depth responsibilities, including publishing game programs and brochures, assisting with media guides, serving as the public address announcer for athletic events, and assisting in the upkeep of the CSI athletics website. In his final year at CSI, Spagnoli served as editor for Staten Island's sports information newsletter, "Dolphin Sightings," a monthly publication that included numerous human-interest stories centering on CSI athletes. Spagnoli also lent his efforts to various activities, including the annual CSI Barnes & Noble Golf Outing, Annual Awards Banquet, and various high school and CUNY Conference tournament events held on CSI's campus.

Alongside his duties within Staten Island's Office of Athletics, Spagnoli also worked in conjunction with WSIA, 88.9 FM, CSI's campus radio station. There, he served as Sports Director while also serving as host to many professional and college sports shows, including the "Thursday Night Sports Wrap" and the "CSI Sports Insider." Spagnoli also served two years as the official play-by-play announcer for the Staten Island Yankees Class A baseball team. In addition to working with the baby bombers, he also worked for the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium during the 2003, 2004, and 2007 postseasons, assisting the media relations staff with all aspects of operations during the playoffs.

A graduate of the College of Staten Island, Spagnoli holds a Bachelor's degree in communications with a focus in media studies. He acquired a Master's Degree in Business Administration from Berkeley College, completing it in February of 2020.

Spagnoli is a die-hard fan of the New York Yankees, New York Giants, New York Knicks, and the New Jersey Devils. He is also a muscle car enthusiast, and an avid fan of the Weeknd and the Goo Goo Dolls. He resides in the Huguenot section of Staten Island.

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