Boston College Athletics
BC Extends DeFilippo's Contract
March 20, 2007 | Boston College Athletics
March 20, 2007
Boston College has extended the contract of Director of Athletics Gene DeFilippo an additional five years, through 2012.
In making the announcement, BC President Rev. William P. Leahy, S.J. praised DeFilippo for the work he has done in helping to make Boston College one of the nation's most successful and respected athletic programs.
"Gene DeFilippo continues to make an immense contribution to Boston College and its athletics program," said Leahy. "I am delighted that he will be with us for at least another five years."
DeFilippo expressed gratitude to Fr. Leahy for the extension.
"I am grateful to Fr. Leahy for his support and confidence," said DeFilippo. "My wife (Anne) and I have made Boston our home, and I consider this the best job in college athletics."
During DeFilippo's tenure, Boston College student-athletes have consistently earned the nation's highest graduation rates among Division I programs, and BC has been recognized by U.S. News and World Report as one of the top 20 athletics departments in the country.
In addition, DeFilippo has overseen major enhancements of BC's athletics facilities, including the completion of the $27 million Yawkey Athletic Center, a multi-million dollar renovation of Conte Forum to benefit women's and non-revenue sports, new football practice facilities, lighting, scoreboards and other improvements at Shea Field and a new sound system, floor, video boards in Conte Forum. He is also credited with adding two new soccer fields to the Newton Campus, new synthetic turf on Alumni Stadium, and an air-inflated bubble to cover the stadium turf to provide an indoor practice facility for all sports during the winter months.
Gifts to the Athletics Association's fund-raising arm, the William Flynn Fund, have also risen consistently during his tenure. Alumni, parents and friends of Boston College Athletics contributed a record $15 million in 2006, highlighted by 45 commitments of $100,000 or more, the most six-figure gifts in the history of BC Athletics, representing an increase of more than 100% from just two years before. Also in 2006, Anne and Gene DeFilippo cemented their commitment to Boston College by announcing their pledge of $100,000 to endow a scholarship. The scholarship will be awarded annually to a female student-athlete who demonstrates outstanding academic achievement and financial need.
"I cherish the fact that I am able to lead a nationally competitive athletics program at an institution that upholds the highest academic standards, as exemplified by our outstanding graduation rates," said DeFilippo. "Fr. Leahy and the entire Boston College community are committed to having an Athletics program that will continue to be a source of immense pride for Boston College alumni and fans nationwide."
Prior to coming to BC, DeFilippo worked in athletics administration at Villanova University, the University of Kentucky, the University of South Carolina at Spartanburg and Vanderbilt University. He also coached football at Vanderbilt, Youngstown State University and Tennessee.
A 1973 graduate of Springfield College with a Bachelor of Science degree, DeFilippo earned a master's degree in Educational Administration from the University of Tennessee in 1974.
DeFilippo and his wife, Anne, are the parents of three children - Christine, a guidance counselor at Beaver Country Day School; John, a member of the Oakland Raiders coaching staff; and Mary, a senior student-athlete at Boston College.
