John Suarez is in his sixth year as director of athletics. Under his vision and leadership, the program has grown in every way.

As the Blackbirds have enjoyed success on the playing fields, the achievements of Suarez and his staff in the areas of academics, student-athlete welfare, marketing and facilities also are notable. Last year, LIU athletes recorded a combined 3.05 grade-point average, the highest cumulative total since it has been a member of the Northeast Conference.

Through his initiative, and with the support of campus provost Gale Haynes and University president David Steinberg, Suarez’ main objective of building a new athletic facility became a reality. In June 2003, ground will be broken on a $30 million on-campus recreational complex.

Over the past three years, he established two other primary goals for the department with the advent of the LIU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2000 and the re-establishment of the Blackbird Club in 2002.

Among his recent decisions was the changing of the campus’ athletics logo and colors to present a more modern image of the campus. He also initiated a renovation of current athletic facilities, including an upgrade of the weight room, a new equipment room and Field Turf for the outdoor athletic field.

For the last two years, he has been a member the NCAA Division I Championships/Competition Cabinet and in 2001 was named chair of the NEC athletic directors council.

Suarez arrived in downtown Brooklyn following a three-year stint at Mercer County Community College in Trenton, NJ.

Prior to his post at Mercer, Suarez served as assistant athletics director at his alma mater, Fairleigh Dickinson University, from 1989-94
Suarez, 41, completed his M.ED in sports administration at East Stroudsburg University.