By Cassie Fuller
IV Leader Sports Editor, Oct. 25, 2007
After weeks of research, last week, IVCC finally hired the new Athletic Director to replace Mike Riley. Tommy Canale, also named the head golf coach and men’s basketball coach, received the position.
“I have been studying to be an Athletic Director for a few years and it has been a goal of mine to become one at the junior college level,” said
Canale.
Canale may face a lot of problems with the athletics budget in his first year as the Athletic Director. An athletic referendum, which states that students would pay an additional $3 per credit hour to go to the athletics budget, will be considered by students in the
spring.
Word has been spreading that if the referendum is not passed, IVCC stands a chance at losing athletics in the future. However, according to Robert Marshall, vice president of student services, that stands as a slim
chance.
But the budget is not first on Canale’s priorities: “My goal is to make all the student athletes aware that grades are more important than athletics. My motto is simple—‘no grades, no play,” Canale quoted.
“My biggest issue is getting everyone on board with this policy, which means faculty, students, coaches, etc.”
Canale hopes his academic-focused strategy should give IVCC a highly respected athletics
program.
He plans to introduce a new attendance policy for athletes as well as the current system for progress
reports.
Canale said players who are not doing their part in the classroom will not play, and he has even started spot checks of classrooms to make sure men’s basketball players are in attendance.