HAMBURG, N.Y. – John Czarnecki has been named Hilbert College’s Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, announced President Cynthia Zane, Ed.D. Czarnecki takes over a Hilbert athletics program that has seen much growth and success over the last few years, culminating this past winter with the Hawks’ first Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference men’s basketball regular season title. Czarnecki’s appointment is effective August 1.
“The pool of candidates for this position was particularly strong and John is a young, up-and-coming talent in athletic administration,” Zane said. “His experience managing many aspects of successful NCAA Division III athletic programs distinguished him from the other talented candidates. He will be tasked with maintaining the foundation and direction established at Hilbert. I look forward to working with John and I am confident we will continue to see progress and success in the Hawks’ athletic program.”
As Hilbert’s athletics director, Czarnecki will oversee the college’s 13 NCAA Division III men’s and women’s sports teams and provide administrative direction for the athletics program.
“I am thrilled and humbled to be named Hilbert’s athletics director,” Czarnecki said. “The previous athletics director, Sue Viscomi, laid a strong framework to build upon. I look forward to helping the Hawks take the next step to even more success. I am excited to become a part of the Hilbert family and work with the dedicated administration, faculty, staff, and student-athletes.”
Czarnecki, a native of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., spent the last four years at Yeshiva University in New York City, most recently as associate athletic director. At Yeshiva, he oversaw all men’s coaches, sports information, men’s athletic training, intramurals and was the NCAA compliance officer. He was also responsible for licensing, merchandising, scheduling and equipment. Czarnecki oversaw the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and was a representative for the NCAA Regional Advisory Committee for men’s basketball.
“John has been an invaluable resource at Yeshiva University,” Joe Bednarsh, athletics director at Yeshiva, said. “He is a true professional whose passion for Division III athletics and drive to better the student-athlete experience will be a tremendous asset to the Hilbert student body. I have no doubt he will be successful there and we will miss his warmth and humor.”
Prior to Yeshiva, Czarnecki was the sports information director at Maritime College, as well as the assistant men’s basketball coach. He spent two years at Maritime after finishing an internship with the SUNYAC office located in Fredonia, N.Y. Prior to that, he served as a graduate assistant in the sports information office at SUNY Potsdam.
While at Maritime College, Czarnecki was responsible for all aspects of the sports information department, including press releases, statistics, pictures, website, and scheduling. He oversaw a staff of two assistants and worked closely with all departments on campus. As the assistant basketball coach, he helped the team to back-to-back Skyline Conference semi-final appearances as well as the school’s second-ever appearance in the ECAC Tournament. He also coached one student-athlete who signed a professional contract after completing his senior year.
Czarnecki completed his undergraduate work at SUNY Potsdam and earned his Masters in Sports Management from SUNY Cortland. He and his wife Jill have one son, Jason.