Release courtesy of ECAC Communications
Honors Dinner, Convention, and Golf Outing Registration
DANBURY, Conn. – Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Commissioner Dr. Kevin T. McGinniss named former University of Albany Athletics Director Lee McElroy, Lindenwood University Athletics Director John Creer, and Endicott College Athletics Director Brian Wylie as the 2013-14 ECAC Male Administrators of the Year. All three will be honored at the ECAC Honors Dinner on September 28th at the Sea Crest Hotel in North Falmouth, Mass.
The ECAC Male Administrators of the Year are presented annually to administrators from ECAC member schools in recognition of outstanding or meritorious service to the conference.
McElroy retired this past June after spending the last 14 years as the Athletics Director at the University of Albany. Under McElroy’s leadership in 2013-14, Albany claimed eight of America East’s 19 championships to claim the conference’s Stuart P. Haskel, Jr. Commissioner’s Cup for the second consecutive year. The Commissioner’s Cup annually recognizes the strongest athletic program in America East based upon success during the regular season and championship competition. The eight conference titles tied an America East record and gave Albany its third Commissioner’s Cup under McElroy. Over his time at Albany, McElroy successfully brought the athletics program from Division II to Division I and has seen the Great Danes appear in 31 Division I NCAA Championship competitions.
McElroy is nationally known as an advocate for increasing minority representation in coaching, and has testified before Congress on such issues as gender equity and the welfare of the minority student-athlete in college athletics.
"I am honored and humbled to receive this distinguished award from the ECAC. The award is shared with the outstanding work and dedication of our student-athletes and staff,” said McElroy. “UAlbany athletics fosters excellence in academics, athletics, and service which is representative of this outstanding recognition."
Creer just completed his 23rd year at Lindenwood and his 13th as Athletics Director. Creer led Lindenwood to a successful move to the Division II level in 2013 and now oversees the largest Division II athletic department in the country with 27 sports. In 2013-14, the Lions' first NCAA Championship eligible year, they finished 23rd in the Learfield Directors’ Cup standings and had three top-10 national finishes. Prior to the jump to the NCAA, Creer directed a department with 21 NAIA sports programs and 25 other varsity programs that competed in other national organizations. As a NAIA program, Lindenwood finished in the top five in the Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup standings in every season but one under Creer, including back-to back first place finishes in 2002 and 2003.
Also over Creer’s tenure, he has been a part of many improvements to the Lindenwood athletic campus. He has seen the construction of the Lou Brock Sports Complex, the Lindenwood Track, the purchase of Lindenwood Ice Arena, the major renovations of Harlen C. Hunter Stadium, the building of the new Lindenwood Tennis Courts, and the building of the Student-Athlete Center. Prior to athletics administration, Creer enjoyed an extremely successful career as a track and field coach on both a collegiate and international level.
“I am extremely honored and flattered to be receiving such an important award as the 2014 Division II ECAC Male Administrator of the Year,” said Creer. “I am very grateful for the recognition I have received for my work, especially since I know that there are so many other DII ECAC Male Administrators out there that have accomplished far more than I have. This award could not have been achieved without the assistance and cooperation I have received from an outstanding staff, both administrative and coaching.”
Wylie will be entering his seventh year as the Athletics Director at Endicott College this coming fall. This past year, Wylie led the department to nine conference championships, including the 2014 ECAC New England Women’s Basketball Championship. While also finishing 28th out of 444 schools in the Learfield Directors’ Cup standings, Endicott appeared in nine NCAA Championships.
In addition to the success in competition, Wylie has fostered improvements to the Endicott athletic facilities. Over the past year, Endicott has replaced turf and added seats to its football and soccer stadium, completed a renovation of its baseball and field hockey fields, and also re-surfaced its basketball and volleyball courts. Endicott also broke ground on a new ice hockey and entertainment center that will house both the men’s and women’s ice hockey programs as they transition to Division III from club status.
“I am deeply honored to be recognized by the ECAC for this award and join such a distinguished list of colleagues that have been presented with this award in previous years,” said Wylie. “It’s especially gratifying to be a part of the ECAC that has provided countless opportunities for so many New England student-athletes in both the competitive landscape and employment opportunities beyond college.”