John J. (Jack) McDonald
177 Plymouth Ave
Marshfield, Ma. 02050
E: mcdonald44@me.com
P: (781) 571-8276
On September 1, 2017 after forty years in intercollegiate athletics, Jack McDonald retired from the University of New England and now lives with his wife Linda in Ocean Bluff, Ma.
In April 2016, McDonald was promoted by President Danielle Ripich to Vice President of Student Engagement and Director of Athletics.
McDonald was appointed to the position of Associate Vice President and Director of Athletics at UNE in June of 2015. He comes to Biddeford after 20 years (1995-2015) as Director of Athletics at Quinnipiac University [NCAA Division I].
Before that, McDonald spent five years (1990-95) as Director of Athletics at University of Denver [NCAA Division I], and three years (1987-90) as Assistant Director of Athletics for Marketing at Boston College [NCAA Division I]. His time as as administrator at BC was preceded by 10 years (1977-87) as the head coach of the Eagles in men’s and women’s cross country, as well as the men’s and women’s track & field programs.
While at Quinnipiac, McDonald was instrumental in transitioning the institution from its NCAA Division II membership into Division I, as well as the conference affiliations that were associated with the change. McDonald played an integral role in the design, construction, and dedication of the TD Bank Sports Center – a 160,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility that has separate venues for Quinnipiac’s basketball and ice hockey programs.
McDonald also brokered television, radio and Internet packages for the Bobcats, including competitions seen on NESN, ESPN3, and ESPNU.
The Bobcats won 33 conference championships and made 21 NCAA Championship appearances during McDonald’s tenure. In 2013 Quinnipiac Men’s Ice Hockey advanced to the NCAA Frozen Four and the National Championship game.
In 2012-13 academic year, Quinnipiac had its highest department-wide cumulative grade point average and had the most student-athletes ever with a GPA of 3.1 or higher.
McDonald was named the NACDA Under Armour NCAA Division IAAA Athletic Director of the Year in 2013-14 and received NACDA’s Lifetime Achievement Award in June 2015
On the national level, McDonald was a member of the NCAA Division I Women’s Ice Hockey Committee (2013-15). In the past, he has served (1998-2002) on the NCAA Division I Men’s Ice Hockey Committee, including the last two years as chairperson. From 2006-08, he was the president and commissioner of the Division I Great Western Lacrosse League.
In 1998, he founded the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Hockey League (now Atlantic Hockey League).
McDonald was also is an adjunct professor for Quinnipac’s Sports Studies Program and taught Sports Administration to juniors and seniors each fall.
Coaching at BC before becoming an administrator, McDonald helped guide 39 individuals to NCAA Championship competition. In 1984, he was named Coach of the Year in NCAA District I, New England, and the Big East Conference for cross country. On the track & field side of things, McDonald was selected NCAA District I and New England Coach of the Year in 1986-87.
During his college career, McDonald ran and coached cross country and track & field. He was a three time New England Collegiate Champion and set the New England indoor mile record (4:00.9) in 1976 and, as Head Men’s and Women’s Track and Cross Country Coach at Boston College, was selected Big East, New England and NCAA District I Coach of the Year in both 1984 and 1987.
McDonald was also inducted to the Boston College (1982) and the Archbishop Williams High School (1997) Hall of Fames.
McDonald went on to earn a master’s degree in physical education from Springfield College in 1984.
In addition to assisting the University with raising funds for scholarships and facilities, McDonald has overseen fund-raising programs for the Quinnipiac community and charities, as well as raise thousands of dollars in his own community with the Irish Eyes are Miling (Cheshire Relay for Life), Labor Day Movie Night (Petit Family Foundation), Gurnet Saquish Beach Run (Gurnet Saquish Fire Fund) and Irish Eyes are Miling at the University of NewEngland.
The native of Braintree, Mass., resides in Marshfield. He and his wife, Linda, have four grown sons – Brian (& Jessica), Jim (& Nicole), Jack, and David.
McDonald is also currently a member of the Carr Sports Consulting Team that assists colleges and universities with executive searches and strategic planning.
Employment History
September 1977 – May 1978 – Residence Hall Director & Graduate Assistant Men’s and Women’s Cross Country and Track & Field Coach at Springfield College
July 1978 – July 1987 – Boston College Head Men’s and Women’s Track & Field Coach
July 1987 – August 1990 – Boston College Assistant Athletic Director
August 1990 – August 1995 – University of Denver – Director of Athletics & Recreation
August 1995 – June 2015 – Quinnipiac University – Director of Athletics & Recreation
June 2015 – April 2016 – University of New England – Associate Vice President & Director of Athletics
April 2016 – September 2017 – University of New England – Vice President of Student Engagement & Director of Athletics
DISTINCTIONS AND HONORS
Committees
2009 – 17 Director – National Collegiate Women’s Varsity Rugby Association (NCWVRA)
2013 – 15 NCAA Women’s Ice Hockey Committee
2011 – 15 NACDA Executive Committee
2011 – 15 NCAA Committee on Women’s Athletics
2011 – 12 Chair, ECAC Hockey Executive Committee
2008 – 09 President NACDA IAAA Athletic Director’s Association
2007 – 08 1st Vice President NACDA IAAA Athletic Director’s Association
2007 – NACDA IAAA Executive Committee
2006 – 08 President, Great Western Lacrosse League
2005 – 06 Steering Committee & Campus Liaison — NCAA Certification
2005 – 06 Chair, NCAA Championship Cabinet, Travel Policies Committee
2003 – 07 NCAA Certification – Peer Reviewer
2002 – 06 Member, NCAA Division I Championships and Competition Cabinet
1998 – 02 NCAA Division I Men’s Ice Hockey Committee (Chair 2001-2002)
1999 – 09 President – New England Track & Field Association
1994 NCAA Men’s Basketball Mid-West Region Ranking Committee
1994 Colorado Athletic Conference, Chair – Athletic Directors
1993-94 Executive Committee – NACDA
1992-94 NCAA Hockey Western Region Ranking Committee
1992-94 Board of Directors – Colorado Sports Council
1992-94 Member – Student Life Council, University of Denver
1990-92 Member – Student Retention Committee, University of Denver
1990 Member – Physically Challenged Advisory Committee, Boston College
1987-90 Chair – BIG EAST Cross-Country Committee
Honors
2019 MAAC Basketball Honor Roll Inductee
2019 Hall of Fame Inductee, NACDA (National Association of Collegiate Director of Athletics)
2015 NACDA’s Lifetime Achievement Award
2014 NACDA IAAA Athletic Director of the Year
2013 St. Francis Award from Franciscan Life Center
2013 Inaugural Irish Sports 50 by the Irish Voice
2004 New Haven Register Sports Person of the Year Nominee
2000 Quinnipiac United Way Campaign Chair
1996 Archbishop Williams High School Hall of Fame Inductee
1993 Recipient – All University Pioneer Award, University of Denver
1989 BIG EAST Conference “Decade of Excellence” Award
1986-87 NCAA District 1 & New England Track & Field Coach of the Year
1984-86 President – BIG EAST & Greater Boston Track & Field/Cross-Country Coaches
1984 NCAA District 1 Cross-Country Coach of the Year
1984 New Englnd & BIG EAST Cross-Country Coach of the Year
1982 Boston College Varsity Club Hall of Fame Inductee
1976 New England Indoor Mile Record Holder (4:00.9)
1972-73 Captain, Boston College Cross-country and Track & Field Teams
1971-73 Three-time New England Intercollegiate Mile Champion
1969 Archbishop Williams HS – One Mile Run Record Holder (4:17.8)
1969 All State One Mile Runnerup – Archbishop Williams HS
1969 Class D Indoor & Outdoor Mile Champion – Archbishop William HS
Presentations/Instruction/Consulting
2018-20 – Guest Lecturer – Boston College Sports Management
2013 – Professor – Sports Administration, Quinnipiac University
2000 – Present Guest Lecturer at Quinnipiac Schools of Business and Communications
1994 Instructor – Sports Management , University of Denver
1993 Moderator – NACDA Roundtable, “Networking & Email in Athletics “
1991-93 Instructor – Freshman Experience, University of Denver
1991 Moderator – NACDA Roundtable “Computerizing via the Macintosh “
1980-82 Co-Director – National Youth Sports Programs (NYSP) Youth Camp
1984-87 Co-Director – John Hancock Running & Fitness Clinics
1984-88 Consultant – Saucony/Spot-Bilt Athletic Footwear
1980-84 Consultant – Reebok U.S.A. Limited
1979-87 Meet Director BIG EAST Cross-Country Championships
Founder – New Programs & Events
2009 – Founding Member National Collegiate Women’s Varsity Rugby Association
2009 – Founder/Host Gurnet Saquish Beach Run to Benefit Gurnet Saquish Fire Fund
2000 – Director – Quinnipiac University Games
1997 – Founder/Host Rustic Lane Movie Night to Benefit Petit Family Foundation
1996 – Founder, Irish Eyes Are Miling to Benefit Cheshire Relay for Life
1998 Co-Founder – MAAC/Atlantic Hockey League
1996 Co-Founder – Quinnipiac Midnight Madness
1996 Founder – QUINNIPIAC CUP Ice Hockey Tournament
1992 Co-Founder – Gender Equity Task Force, University of Denver
1992 Founder – DENVER CUP Holiday Hockey Tournament
1991 Founder – Student-Athlete Advisory Council, University of Denver
1978-88 Founder/Meet Director, Boston College Holiday Track Classic
1975-88 Founder/Director Gurnet Classic Beach Run, Duxbury, MA
1973 Founder/Managing Director, Greater Boston Track Club
Media Links
2023 – Greater Boston Track Club’s 50th Anniversary Celebration at Boston College
2023 – New Haven Register – McDonald – QU Men’s Ice Hockey National Champions
2019 – NACDA – National Athletic Director Hall of Fame
2019 – Marshfield Mariner on NACDA Hall of Fame
2017 – Portland Press Herald – McDonald Retires from University of New England
2015 – QBSN – McDonald’s 20 Year Career at Quinnipiac
2015 – Quinnipiac Chronicle – McDonald to Retire from Quinnipiac
2014 – New Haven Register McDonald Announces Retirement from Quinnipiac
2013 – Boston Globe – McDonald on Top of the Word at Quinnipiac
2013 – St. Francis Award
2007 – NY Times – Quinnipiac’s Growth in Athletics
2007 – Gurnet Classic Beach Run Post
1982 – Boston College Athletics – Hall of Fame
Other Activities
2017-21 – Visiting Lecturer at Boston College Graduate Sports Management Classes
1990 Boston Red Sox Video (& Manual) Scoreboard Crew at Fenway Park
1988-89 Volunteer – Boston School Department College Bound Program
Enjoys Jogging, Biking, Photography, Bird Watching
(updated August 2023)