ST. LEO, FL - Saint Leo University Vice President and Director of Athletics Fran Reidy announced this week that he will retire from his position after more than 35 years of service. Reidy, who led the Saint Leo Lions to win 30 Sunshine State Conference championships, earn two national championships, and make 125 NCAA Division II championship appearances, will leave the university in August.

"Fran Reidy's contributions to our Athletics program and the university will be remembered for years to come," said Dr. Ed Dadez, president of Saint Leo University. "His commitment to our university's core values were demonstrated in the relationships he built with students, his work to help our sports teams achieve athletic and academic success, and in his service to the community. I am grateful for all of the sacrifices Fran has made to help our university grow, and I am proud of the legacy he will leave behind."

When Reidy became director of Athletics in 1999, the Lions had gone nearly 30 years with no conference championship wins, and many sports were in the bottom of the Sunshine State Conference. But that all changed in 2005 when the men's soccer team won the conference championship, paving the way for more victories within the Athletics program to follow.
In addition to winning several championships, the Lions placed in the Learfield Cup Top 10 for NCAA Division II three times, including an amazing second place finish in 2015-2016. The Lions also won the Mayor's Cup four times, recognizing the Lions as the best overall Sunshine State Conference program.

"I am extremely proud of all that Saint Leo Athletics achieved during my tenure," said Reidy. "I was extremely fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with such a talented and diverse group of administrators, faculty, staff, coaches, and student-athletes. For over three decades, I never had a job, but a daily adventure. I would get excited each time I drove through the entrance and onto campus."

Reidy's contributions to intercollegiate athletics also include serving as president of the Division II Athletic Director's Association; the NCAA Championships Committee, with one year of service as chair; and the NCAA Men's Basketball Committee, which he also chaired for year. He also made valuable contributions to the Sunshine State Conference.
"There is no better athletic director in the country than Fran Reidy," said Sunshine State Conference Commissioner Ed Pasque. "Fran is a great listener who seeks to understand others and build consensus.  He is a strong advocate for improving the student-athlete experience, and consistently makes decisions by staying true to his values, even when doing so is not easy. A former special education teacher and part-time coach, his more than three decades as a leader in NCAA Division II and the Sunshine State Conference, and the influence he leaves behind, will reverberate for many years to come."

On top of his competitive success, Reidy has been the recipient of many industry awards. He was recognized three times as the Under Armour National Athletic Director of the Year and was honored as coach of the year two times by the Sunshine State Conference. He also remains in the Saint Leo record books for the work he accomplished in his first role at the university as men's soccer coach. Reidy is the all-time winningest coach in Saint Leo men's soccer history with 139 wins.
"Saint Leo University has provided me with a lifetime full of great memories, and allowed me to flourish here, as well as within the NCAA and the D2 Athletic Directors Association," said Reidy. "It has been an amazing ride for my family and me. I will forever be grateful for everything this institution has done for me as a person, coach, and leader."
 
About Saint Leo University
Saint Leo University is one of the largest Catholic universities in the nation, offering more than 100 undergraduate and graduate-level degree programs and specializations to more than 15,300 students each year. Founded in 1889 in the Benedictine tradition, the private, nonprofit university is known for providing an education to learners of all backgrounds and ages. Saint Leo is regionally accredited and offers a residential campus in the Tampa Bay region of Florida, at education centers, and through an online program for students anywhere. The university is home to more than 103,000 alumni. Learn more at saintleo.edu.