General | 2/2/2024 10:00:00 AM
Dr. Gerard J. Rooney took office in July 2015 as the seventh president of St. John Fisher University. He has over 35 years of experience in higher education and executive administration and joined Fisher in 1996. Prior to becoming president, he served as executive vice president for enrollment, advancement and planning. Rooney served as a past Empire 8 President's Council Chair from 2020-2023.
As Empire 8 President's Council Chair, Rooney, oversaw the addition of three core members and most notably guided the league through the challenging COVID-19 pandemic. During the 2021 Spring Semester, the Empire 8 was the lone Division III conference in the Northeast and one of just a handful in the country to play all three seasons (fall, winter, and spring) during the COVID-19 pandemic from March to May 2021. The Empire 8 conducted more than 450 fall and winter sport competitions in 56 days and 1,168 contests in 82 days including its spring sports, while crowning 19 league champions.
Since taking office in 2015, President Rooney has instituted several initiatives that have positively impacted St. John Fisher students and its campus community, including an Executive Intern Program, Presidential Task Force on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and a Civic Action Plan among others. He has made an indelible student, academic, community, and institution-wide impact through a variety of initiatives guided by Fisher's Strategic Plan: “Renewing our purpose. Broadening our impact.”
Using a student-centered approach, President Rooney has led several efforts to create transformative experiences leading to increased levels of student engagement and success.
Under President Rooney’s leadership, Fisher has added a variety of new undergraduate and graduate offerings, including the clinically-oriented hybrid Pharm.D. pathway in the Wegmans School of Pharmacy – the first fully online Pharm.D. program in New York State. His vision for developing institutes and academic centers that build on institutional core competencies and broaden thought leadership beyond campus led to the creation of the Institute for Civic and Community Engagement, the Family Business Program at the School of Business, the Golisano Institute for Developmental Disability Nursing housed in the Wegmans School of Nursing, the first institute of its kind, and the DePeters Family Center for Innovation and Teaching Excellence. In 2022, Fisher transitioned from a College to a University, a decision that followed the New York State Board of Regents’ new definition of “university,” becoming in name what it had been in practice for more than a decade. The following year, the University celebrated its 75th anniversary.
A charter member of the Empire 8, Fisher has won 97 Empire 8 Championships since the league’s inception in 1999. In 2022-23, the Cardinals claimed their fourth straight Empire 8 Commissioner's Cup crown and won nine Empire 8 Championships (baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, women's cross country, men's golf, men's lacrosse, women's lacrosse, softball and women’s volleyball). In addition, St. John Fisher student-athletes have excelled in the classroom and community, with countless Academic and Scholar All-America selections. St. John Fisher had a league record 250 student-athletes earn Empire 8 President’s List honors for earning at least a 3.75 grade-point average during the 2023-24 Spring semester.
Empire 8 Executive Director
Chuck Mitrano says: "President Rooney is one of just a few individuals that has been a stakeholder since the inception of Empire 8. His tenure as Empire 8 President's Council Chair was the most challenging in our history. First, he successfully navigated the conference through the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic as we provided opportunities for student-athletes to compete when many conferences were unable. His presidency also included the addition of three core members, staffing and financial stability that ensures Empire 8 will be viable and vibrant for many years to come. His leadership during the most challenging time in our history is legendary."
Coach/Administrator Name: Gerard J. Rooney
Institution: St. John Fisher University
Title: President
College Attended/Class Year: Villanova University, Class of 1981
Years associated with the Empire 8 Conference: 25 years
Favorite Professional Athlete: Julius Erving
Favorite Movie: Invincible
Last TV Show You Binge Watched: Ted Lasso
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Butter Pecan
What Do You Enjoy Doing When Away From College Athletics? Spending time with family
Favorite Vacation Spot: Ireland
Favorite Athletic Memory as an Administrator:
Over the last few years we have held a special graduation ceremony for our in-season spring athletes who would otherwise miss their commencement due to competition dates. It is a very meaningful celebration of the academic successes of our student-athletes.
Who Was Your Greatest Mentor(s) and Why:
The two former presidents of St. John Fisher University - Dr. Katherine Keough and President Emeritus Donald Bain. Both provided guidance, advice, and opportunity throughout my time at Fisher, and modeled leadership in their roles.
Most Rewarding Aspect of Being an Administrator:
Accompanying our students on their educational journeys and watching them grow and develop into successful young professionals.
What is your favorite aspect of Division III Athletics?
The chance for students to compete at a high level athletically in a student-centric and balanced collegiate experience.
What is your favorite memory from your time in the Empire 8 Conference?
Watching my son play soccer throughout his four years at Fisher. Through his experience, I was able to see firsthand the impact of intercollegiate athletics in the student experience.
How Does the Empire 8 Stand Out Among Other Conferences?
For most of our teams in spring 2021 semester (coming out of the pandemic), we were the only DIII conference in the region providing athletic opportunities for student-athletes. This took the collective will of the member institutions and the tireless planning and efforts that each campus put forth. It was truly a team effort and a point of pride for the Empire 8 membership.
In your opinion, what would you say the league has done a great job of during your association with the Empire 8 Conference?
Focusing on providing the best educational and athletic experience for student-athletes.
The Empire 8 taught me:
The value of campus leaders working together with a common purpose.
If you could use just one word to describe the Empire 8 Conference, what would it be? Inspiring
If you had to describe the Empire 8 to someone who knew nothing about it, what would you tell them?
The members of the Empire 8 are committed to academic and athletic excellence and aspire to be a nationally recognized and influential conference in NCAA Division III athletics.
Finally, 25 years from now, what do you hope people are saying about the Empire 8 Conference?
I would hope that they will look back and say that the leadership of the Conference, at all levels, worked together to provide an exceptional experience for our student-athletes.
Advice for Aspiring Student-Athletes (Youth/High School and Incoming Collegians):
I would tell them to believe in themselves and their abilities and encourage them to develop a work ethic both in the classroom and in their sport, which would allow them to attend a great institution and experience the added benefit of continuing to do what they love.
Advice for Graduating Student-Athletes:
I would suggest they carry the same ambition that led them to success in intercollegiate athletics throughout their professional lives, and use the lessons they learned through athletics as they approach the future.
The Empire 8 is celebrating its 25th anniversary season in 2023-24 and will be celebrating various coaches, administrators and former student-athletes throughout the year as part of the Empire 8 25th Anniversary Legends series. In addition, the league will honor various championship teams and former Players of the Year on social media platforms throughout the 2023-24 season. The conference will also be using the #E825 and #E8Anniversary hashtags on its Twitter and Instagram platforms as a way for fans to follow along throughout the year.
ABOUT THE EMPIRE 8 CONFERENCE
The members of the Empire 8 Conference are committed first and foremost to the pursuit of academic excellence and the league is regarded as an outstanding NCAA Division III conference. The membership has distinguished itself among its peer group for its quality institutions, spirited and sportsmanlike competition, outstanding services and highly ethical policies and practices. Its commitment to serve the educational needs of its student-athletes is the hallmark of the E8. For more on the Empire 8 visit
www.empire8.com.
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