Commissioner Mitrano Named one of 20 Living Americans Honored for Sportsmanship
ROCHESTER, NY – In celebration of the 20th anniversary of National Sportsmanship Day today, the Institute for International Sport (IIS) has selected Empire 8 Commissioner Chuck Mitrano as one of 20 living Americans who has made significant contributions to the practice of fair play and has enhanced the national consciousness regarding the central importance of sportsmanship.
“Chuck Mitrano has been one of the most effective leaders in intercollegiate sport in terms of fostering a culture of sportsmanship,” said Dan Doyle, Founder and Executive Director of the IIS and President and Chief Executive Officer of the World Youth Peace Summit. “We have tremendous admiration for Chuck at the Institute for International Sport. We consider him to be one of the great sports educators in America.”
Mitrano joins an elite group in “The 20 Living Americans” category, including Super Bowl winning coach Tony Dungy, 2009 Presidential Medal of Freedom honoree Billie Jean King, baseball Hall of Famers Stan Musial and Cal Ripken, Jr., and golf legend Jack Nicklaus.
A national expert that speaks across the country on the topics of sportsmanship, ethics, and leadership, Mitrano was named one of the “100 Most Influential Sports Educators in America” by the IIS in November of 2007. He created the “Conduct Foul Program” which was adopted by NCAA Division III as part of its strategic plan. The program serves 11 sports, more than 400 institutions, hundreds of athletic teams, and thousands of student-athletes across the country.
“Chuck has long been recognized regionally and nationally as a pioneer in making good sportsmanship a vital part of intercollegiate athletics,” said Elmira College and Empire 8 President Dr. Thomas Meier.
Under his leadership Empire 8 was named an “All-American Sportsmanship Conference” by the IIS, the first athletic conference in any division or level to ever receive this prestigious honor. Mitrano was also tagged as the Director of Collegiate Partnerships for National Sportsmanship Day in 2009. In 2007 he successfully lobbied the NCAA to host a first of its kind Hazing Summit which he moderated and was widely attended by all three divisions.
Mitrano is currently the President of the Division III Commissioners Association (DIIICA) and Commissioner of the United Volleyball Conference, a NCAA Division III men’s volleyball conference.
National Sportsmanship Day was launched in 1991 with the objective of engaging student-athletes, professional athletes, and members in the community in thoughtful discussions around the concepts of sportsmanship.
Empire 8 consists of Alfred University (NY), Elmira College (NY), Hartwick College (NY), Ithaca College (NY), Nazareth College (NY), Rochester Institute of Technology (NY), St. John Fisher College (NY), Stevens Institute of Technology (NJ) and Utica College (NY).
IIS Release with All Honorees