California Pacific Conference Athletic Director of the Year
Keith Spataro
M
enlo College Director of Athletics Keith Spataro was named the inaugural California Pacific Conference Athletic Director of the Year.
Spataro earned the award for his efforts to advance the Oaks athletic program during the 2009-10 academic year, his second term as Director of Athletics. He started the men’s wrestling program in 2000 and led the program to national prominence before stepping down to focus on his duties as Director of Athletics in the spring of 2009. “We are delighted that Keith Spataro has been recognized as the California Pacific Conference’s first Athletic Director of the Year,” said President James J. Kelly. “In his short time as Menlo College’s Athletic Director, he has demonstrated his commitment creating an environment of sportsmanship, teamwork and athleticism. Keith sets the bar high for programs built upon the scholar-athlete model.” Under Spataro, Menlo Athletics has been a major advocate of the NAIA Champions of Character program, with volleyball star Stephanie Williamson earning Champion of Character distinction and men’s wrestling’s Hanna Malak, one of only 13 studentathletes from across the country selected to take part in this summer’s Red Cross/NAIA Leadership Program. Nine Oaks earned Academic All-American or Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athlete accolades during the 2009-10 school year, with a total of 17 individual honors and 38 conference honors earned by student-athletes. “Keith is a deserving recipient of this award,” said Don Ott, Cal Pac commissioner. “He has done as much, if not more, than anyone since I’ve been commissioner to help the conference grow. His commitment to Menlo College and the Cal Pac sets a standard to which all of us can aspire.” Spataro has also made strong efforts to create a more recognizable brand for the athletic department. In the last year, under Spataro’s direction, the department has unveiled a new set of logos and a new web site with more improvements sure to come. Menlo Athletics has also made the move to an exclusive affiliate with the NAIA for the 2010-11 school year. Spataro served as the Cal Pac’s representative to the NAIA’s National Administrative Council and spearheaded the movement to host the NAIA-SIDA Convention on the Menlo College campus. “I am humbled to be selected by my peers for this award. The efforts of my sensational staff allowed me and our department to shine in our conference,” said Spataro.
ABOVE: Keith Spataro, Director of Athletics BELOW: Hall of Fame Inductee Ken Welsh ‘91 (basketball) is honored by Keith Spataro (right) at a Homecoming ceremony
42
S P R I N G 2 0 11