Ian Day, Director of Athletics and Vice President for Campus Services at Tiffin University since 1990, has resigned to become the Director of Athletics at the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth effective Sept. 1.
"This was not an easy decision as Tiffin University has been a big part of my life and having had the experience to not only witness the transformation of an institution but to be asked to play a small role has been extremely gratifying, but the chance for a new challenge at a school like UMass-Dartmouth was an opportunity I could not pass up,” said Day.
The University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth sponsors 25 sports and competes in NCAA Division III. It has an enrollment of 8500 students and is located between Cape Cod and Newport, Rhode Island on the east coast, one hour from Boston, MA.
Day was instrumental in guiding the Dragons through expansion of their facilities, helping oversee the expansion of the department from 10 sponsored sports to 19, guiding the university from the American Mideast Conference to the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (which the Dragons will join beginning in the 2008-09 season), and leading Tiffin University out of the NAIA and into full NCAA Division II status. Along the way, Tiffin’s athletic programs made 21 National Tournament appearances.
According to Tiffin University President Paul Marion, "Ian Day has made many positive contributions as Tiffin University's director of athletics and as head coach of our men's soccer team. We are proud of the progress that has been made under his leadership, and we wish him well in his new position."
“Ian was a member of the core of true believers who brought Tiffin University from relative obscurity to its prominent position today,” said John Stock, Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees.
“Ian was a great guiding force for the Athletic Department during his time with the university,” said Dr. Michael Grandillo, Vice President of Development and Public Affairs. “He was always a proponent of positive change and expansion, and was well-respected and admired by his peers. He always believed the university could reach great heights on the field and in the classroom, and he worked hard to make those beliefs a reality.”
“We as coaches have always had the utmost respect for his leadership and vision,” said Brian Campbell, Head Softball Coach. “He opened the door for a lot of the coaches at TU to become head coaches at an age when many universities would not. We are grateful he gave us a chance to start our coaching careers.”
Day is exiting the university after a strong 2006-07 season, one which resonated with Tiffin’s second consecutive American Mideast Conference Women’s All-Sports Trophy and National Tournament trips for women’s soccer, women’s golf, softball, men’s golf, and men’s and women’s track and field.
Day came to Tiffin in 1983, creating the men’s soccer program and guiding the program ever since. TU has won 11 conference titles and advanced to the National Tournament four times. Day was a seven-time Conference Coach of the Year honoree, while also winning Coach of the Year honors for all NAIA/NCAA Division III teams in 1988. He holds one of the nation’s top winning percentage marks with a record of 345-139-28 over 24 years (.713).
“I would like to thank the staff for all their hard work over the years, as well as all the student-athletes I have had the opportunity to serve,” Day said.