Chuck Mitrano has served as the Commissioner of the Empire 8 Conference since August, 2001 and begins his 24th season with the league in 2024-25. During his tenure, the Empire 8 has become regarded as one of the premier athletic conferences in the nation. Mitrano has worked to help support the membership's goal of serving and meeting the educational needs of its student-athletes. During his time, the conference has distinguished itself among its peer group for its national leadership, spirited and sportsmanlike competition, outstanding services, highly ethical policies and practices and commitment to act in the best interest of the student-athlete.
He currently serves on the NCAA Division III Strategic Planning and Finance Committee and recently wrapped up a three-year term as chair of the NCAA Division III Championships Committee in January, 2024. In June 2024, Mitrano received the Major Donald Holleder Award at the Rochester Press-Radio Club’s Celebration of Champions.
Empire 8 is recognized as one of the most influential conference's in Division III. Mitrano created the “Conduct Foul Program” which serves as an educational tool by tracking fouls in each sport deemed unsporting. The program was adopted by all of Division III 17 years ago and used within the NCAA for 10 years. The innovative program was adopted by Division II and various Division I and high school programs currently use it nationwide.
Empire 8 has also been an active leader in the evolution of NCAA policy. Under Mitrano's leadership, the conference sucessfully proposed and passed various pieces of legislation focused on retaining and enhancing the student-athlete expereince including: Providing an Automatic Qualifier (AQ) in m/w golf and m/w tennis; providing a Two-Year Grace Period for conference's that fall under the minimum of teams; lowering the AQ minimum to 6 members for multi-sport and single-sport conferences; and allowing student-athletes to compete in a triathlon without losing eligibility in their primary sport to name a few. For the 2023 Convention Empire 8 sponsored two proposals: 1. To ensure the every conference has one rep on Presidents Council or Management Council; 2. Expoand the nunmber of individuals serving on nominating committee to 10 with designated regions for each conference. The E8 is also proposing a resolution to create a Mental Health Hardship Waiver opportunity that allows for approoriate flexibility for medical documentation considerignt he unique nature of mental health challenges. He is responsible for overseeing all facets of the NCAA Division III athletic conference, including setting the tone and integrity of the conference, which features nine members and sponsors 23 intercollegiate sports.
In 2024-25, the Empire 8 will expand to 12 full-time member institutions with the additions of SUNY Brockport, SUNY Geneseo and SUNY Poly. This will mark the first time the league has expanded past 10 full-time members.
Mitrano is responsible for overseeing the conference's senior associate and assistant commissioner, 11 Supervisor's of Officials, and various structures within the conference (AD’s, SWA’s, ADR’s, SAAC, FAR’s, Coaches Committees). He manages all aspects of the conference financials and ensures compliance with the E8 constitution, the conference's by-laws, code of conduct and the overall philosophy of the league.
Mitrano also serves as the Commissioner of the United Volleyball Conference (UVC) and the United Collegiate Hockey Conference (UCHC).
Mitrano is also a highly-regarded keynote speaker. His topic areas include:
-Leadership
-Sportsmanship: Student-Athletes, Coaches, Administrators, Fan Behavior, Officiating Support
-Ethics
-Institution Reputation or Image
-Team Building/Coach Planning
-Changing Team and Department Culture
-Meetings with Institutional Vice-President’s and President’s
-AD Support
-Sportsmanship Policy
Previously, he has served as the president of the the NCAA Division III Commissioner's Association, as well as the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) President.
Prior to his time at the Empire 8 Conference, Mitrano served as the Assistant Director of Athletics at Rochester Institute of Technology and began his career at the age of 21 when he was the full-time Sports Information Director at St. John Fisher University.
AWARDS & HONORS
- NCAA Think Tank on Campus Violence Prevention Participant
One of just 17 educational leaders across the nation selected to participate in this distinguished event hosted in Washington, DC in October 2012. The group delved deeper into issues of campus violence, and examined ways that athletics can take a role in preventing interpersonal campus violence. Mitrano was just one of two athletics administrators from NCAA membership that was selected for participation.
- Named one of the Top 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 by the Institute for International Sports (IIS).
This prestigious list includes 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
- NCAA Bob Fredrick Award Winner
Inaugural recipient of this prestigious honor bestowed upon one coach, administrator or staff member who possesses a demonstrated history of sportsmanship and leadership. The honoree will have displayed the utmost respect for NCAA intercollegiate athletics and all who participate by leading by example and promoting positive fan, coach and student-athlete participation in and out of the competition setting. Like Bob Frederick, the recipient of this award will be known by his or her sincere passion for student-athletes and colleagues in intercollegiate athletics.
- Named one of the 100 Most Influential Sports Educator’s in America by the Institute for International Sport.
This list includes Pat Summit, John Wooden, Dr. Myles Brand, Dr. Richard Lapchik, Phil Jackson, Cal Ripiken Jr., and Donna Lopiano
- Founding Member of the NCAA’s “Respect” Sportsmanship Campaign
Empire 8 named All-American Sportsmanship Conference by the Institute for International Sport in October 2007. First collegiate athletic conference of any division or level to earn this honor
- Major Donald Holleder Award Winner, Rochester Press Radio Club
The Major Donald Holleder Award is presented to a person whose active life has exhibited the highest level of sportsmanship, character, courage, and achievement consistent with the name of Donald Holleder, a former Aquinas Institute and U.S. Military Academy football star who was killed in a Vietnam War battle while attempting to rescue several wounded members of his battalion.
- 2008 ECAC Male Administrator of the Year becoming the first male commissioner in any division to earn the honor
- Selected as one of 12 national experts to participate in the NCAA Sportsmanship Summit in April 2006
- Key note speaker at the 2005 St. John Fisher College Department of Sports Studies Graduation Dinner
- Named 2005 St. John Fisher College Department of Sports Studies Sport Manager of the Year
- Keynote Speaker at the 19th Annual SUNY Brockport Gerry D’Agostino Memorial Lecture.
- Named 2004 Sports Ethics Fellow by the IIS. with Donna Lopiano and Mia Hamm
- Named one of St. John Fisher College’s 15 Most Prominent Alumni
- Greece Olympia High School Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee (2011)
Commissioner Mitrano Bio