Bucknell University Athletics
Joe Santorine Tabbed as Coordinator of Recreation Services
7/26/2001 8:00:00 AM | General
July 26, 2001
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Joe Santorine, director of programs for the Phoenixville (Pa.) Area YMCA, has been named Bucknell University's new Coordinator of Recreation Services, Director of Athletics and Recreation John Hardt announced.
With more than a decade of recreation services experience under his belt, Santorine will be responsible for the administration and coordination of all programming services for Bucknell's expanding recreation, intramural and club programs. In addition, he will act as the department's primary liaison with the university community regarding recreation services, and he will work closely with the director of athletics in determining the university's recreational programming needs.
"Joe's considerable background in the vital areas of recreation and fitness makes him a perfect match for Bucknell, as the university looks to continue the development of its recreation program," said Hardt. "His experience and expertise will serve the Bucknell community well."
Charlie Pollock, Bucknell's Vice President for Student Affairs, is also excited about Santorine's hiring. "Joe will provide outstanding leadership as Bucknell expands in major ways students' recreational opportunities, from the intramural and club sports programs to fitness and outdoor activities. He has the energy and commitment required to make the huge strides we've planned. He will work well not only with the staff providing our intercollegiate programs, but also with the other staff in student life, including those responsible for our wellness programs, for residential life and for the Greek community."
"I am very excited about the opportunity to come work at Bucknell," said Santorine, a native of Bergen County, N.J. "I am looking forward to the challenge of continuing to foster quality recreation programs for the university. The new facility is certainly going to be a major addition to the campus. In the long-term it is going to have a positive impact on the quality of life for all Bucknell students."
A 1983 graduate of Springfield (Mass.) College with a degree in commercial recreation, Santorine oversaw the daily physical programs at the Phoenixville YMCA's three program centers since May of 2000. Among his duties were the training, supervision and evaluation of a staff of over 75 volunteers, coordination of marketing materials for the three centers and the design of informational sports and recreation clinics for the community.
Santorine's most recent experience on a college campus came from 1998-2000, when he served as director of intramurals and facilities at Cabrini College in Radnor, Pa. There he was responsible for the athletic department's daily facility management, which included the opening of a 65,000 square foot multi-use athletic and recreation facility. He also served as an adjunct professor, teaching entry-level courses in Facility Management and Sports Management.
For the previous six years Santorine worked at Kettering University in Flint, Mich., as the assistant director of recreation services. At Kettering Santorine assisted in the design of a new $7.5 million athletic facility that opened in August 1995. He also served in the same capacity at Montclair State University from 1986-91, while at the same time serving a two-year stint as a consultant for the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority at the Meadowlands Sports Complex.
Santorine and his wife, Marguerite, have two sons, Joseph (8) and Kyle (6).
A member of the National Intramural Recreational Sports Association since 1985, Santorine earned a masters of education degree in recreation management from Springfield in 1986. He has American Red Cross certifications in advanced first aid and CPR and is also a certified underwater instructor.
Bucknell sponsors 28 intercollegiate sports, 14 each for men and women, at the Division I level (1-AA in football). It is a charter member of the Patriot League and has won the league's all-sports championship in eight of the 11 years it has been contested. Bucknell continually ranks among the top institutions in student-athlete graduation rate in Division I every year, and ranks third in Division I in producing Verizon Academic All-Americans.
