Stony Brook athletic director Jim Fiore was instrumental in the remarkable transformation of the athletic program over the past decade, but nearly as shocking was the announcement on Tuesday night that Fiore will no longer hold that position.
In a release posted on the school’s website, Stony Brook University President Samuel L. Stanley Jr. said Fiore is “leaving” the school and Senior Associate Athletic Director Donna Woodruff will serve as the interim Athletic Director as they “commence a national search to identify a new Athletic Director.”
According to Newsday, the school bought out the remaining 31 months of his contract, which runs through June 30, 2016, for a total of nearly $800,000. There are no further details on the reason for his departure.
Fiore has not responded to attempts to reach him, but he left the following statement, released through a representative:
“I have had nearly 11 wonderful years at Stony Brook and I am incredibly proud for all of the experiences I have had in building the University and our emerging Division 1 program,” Fiore said in a statement. “Facilities have been modernized, recruiting has been professionalized, and prospective student-athletes now see Stony Brook as an enviable destination and the University’s brand is nationally recognized.”
Fiore, 45, a former Hofstra football player, helped direct a $21.1 million renovation of Stony Brook Arena, which is scheduled to open next year.
The school’s football team won four straight Big South titles and reached the FCS Playoffs in 2012 (with the team joining the Colonial Athletic Association this season), the baseball team stunningly reached the College World Series in 2012 — the first time a New York team reached Omaha in 32 years — and the basketball team has won three of the past four America East regular-season championships, twice coming within one win of its first NCAA tournament berth.