General | 5/30/2021 6:00:00 PM
ROCHESTER, N.Y. – When Lou Spiotti Jr. announced in January he would retire this summer following 47 years of service to the RIT community, the final chapter of the nation's longest tenured intercollegiate athletic director began to unfold.But watching the men's lacrosse team defeat Salisbury, 15-14, in double overtime to win the program's first national championship in what was his final competition as the Tigers' AD was nothing short of a story book ending.
"So many memories have rushed back into my mind the last couple months, but watching our student-athletes win a national championship this afternoon was something I will always cherish," Spiotti said smiling. "I consider myself lucky to have been able to do something I love for so long, and having the opportunity to watch those young men band together to achieve the pinnacle of success is something I will always be grateful for."
Spiotti arrived at RIT in 1974 as head football coach before being tapped to lead the department in 1980. RIT experienced unprecedented success and growth during his tenure, expanding from 15 programs (10 men, five women) to 24 (12 for both men and women), including two Division I ice hockey teams, as well as over 650 student-athletes and staff.
Four teams have now won a national championship under Spiotti's watch. In addition to men's lacrosse, the men's hockey team won a Division II national championship in 1983 and added a Division III crown two years later. The women's hockey team also won a Division III national championship in 2012.
"I'm blessed to have been surrounded by some amazing coaches and staff which made this department what it is today," continued Spiotti. "But I will never forget our student-athletes and will always take pride in all their amazing accomplishments. From watching a team succeed on the nation's biggest stage, to hearing from an individual who aced an exam after staying up late to study, they are the ones who made my job such a joy."
"to" - Google News
May 31, 2021 at 08:07AM
https://ift.tt/3fUExFG
Spiotti set to retire on the highest of high notes following Men's Lacrosse National Championship - Rochester Institute of Technology Athletics - RIT Athletics
"to" - Google News
https://ift.tt/368wPko
https://ift.tt/3dnyzdH
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Spiotti set to retire on the highest of high notes following Men's Lacrosse National Championship - Rochester Institute of Technology Athletics - RIT Athletics"
Post a Comment