John Jay College Athletics

New York, N.Y.— John Jay College of Criminal Justice has announced that Dan Palumbo has been named the Director of Athletics.

Palumbo earned the position after serving as Interim Director of Athletics since last October and is responsible for the well being of all 12 athletics programs sponsored by the College.

“It is an honor and a privilege to be named the Director of Athletics,” said Palumbo. “I am excited to be a part of the changes here at John Jay and I am looking to use all our resources to better serve not only the student-athletes, but the student population, faculty and the staff.”

Palumbo is an eight-year veteran of John Jay. Upon his arrival in 2001, Palumbo has served in John Jay’s athletics department in a variety of roles, including interim Sports Information Director, Game Management Supervisor, Athletics Alumni Coordinator and Athletics Advisement and Retention Coordinator. During his entire tenure, Palumbo has served as head baseball coach.

As baseball coach, Palumbo has enjoyed a tremendous amount of success. In eight seasons, he has guided the Bloodhounds to City University of New York Athletic Conference (CUNYAC) baseball championship game five times (2002, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008), while winning the title in 2002 and 2007. His teams have also earned spots in the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference (ECAC) Metro Regional Tournament in 2006 and 2007. He was named the CUNYAC baseball Coach of the Year in 2006 and 2007. Overall, Palumbo has amassed 150 wins as John Jay’s skipper.

In addition to his teams’ on-the-field success, Palumbo’s baseball players are regularly involved in numerous community service and charitable efforts, including an annual holiday party for local underprivileged children and various park cleanup and restoration projects. The team earned official notice from the New York City Council in 2007, with Councilwoman Gale Brewer presenting a Proclamation from the City of New York in recognition of the team’s ongoing community service efforts. Palumbo has also received accolades from the New York State Senate for his contributions to the community.

Palumbo has spearheaded an Athletics Department alumni barbecue, as well as the Lou DeMartino Memorial Dinner, a fundraising event that has honored local baseball figures and John Jay alumni since 2002. 

In 2007, Palumbo won both the John Jay College Employee of the Year award as well as the American Italian Coalition of Organizations (AMICO) Achievement Award.

Palumbo was the head coach of a CUNYAC baseball all-star team that traveled to Italy in the summer of 2007 as part of a CUNYAC Goodwill Tour. The team conducted clinics for Italian children and played exhibition games against professional Italian league baseball teams.

“We have a talented, dedicated and hard working staff in the athletics department,” said Palumbo. “I am looking forward to working with everyone and making the John Jay Department of Athletics excels further.”