New Southern Conference commissioner John Iamarino officially began his duties as the face of the league on January 30, 2006.
Iamarino replaced former commissioner Dr. Danny Morrison, who left after four years with the SoCon in June of 2005 to take over as Athletic Director at Texas Christian University after Eric Hyman left that post to take the same position with the University of South Carolina.
The league’s eighth commissioner was selected through a search committee consisting of CEOs, faculty athletics representatives, athletics directors, and senior woman administrators from the league who in turn recommended the former Northeast Conference commissioner to the SoCon’s Council of Presidents, who agreed with the choice and ratified the decision.
The Northeast Conference grew exponentially during Iamarino’s nine years with the league. Still roughly in his honeymoon period with the league, the new commissioner has a long-range plan formulated to grow the SoCon as well and plans to take the conference to even greater heights.
Now in the job for almost 50 days, Iamarino recently sat down with me to answer some serious and off-the-wall questions so that interested parties can learn more about the new commissioner of the SoCon.
How do you like being in Spartanburg thus far?
“So far it has been great. My wife and I have been very gratified by the reception that we have gotten in the community. I got a letter in the mail from the mayor welcoming me and I had never had that happen to me before. The neighbors have said hello and been very friendly. One woman even brought over a blueberry cake, which was great, when we first moved in. So far it has been very nice.”
What has your first month-plus league been like?
“Very hectic. I feel like I am unpacking for a trip and getting ready to pack for the next one. I am trying to get to as many campuses as possible and, of course, I started right at the heart of basketball season so it seems like I was trying to visit a campus during games and then get to the next one. Then the tournament came up and then a couple visits to the NCAA; it is very hectic. I am enjoying it. It is what I enjoy doing.”
What is your favorite professional sports team? Player?
“The (New York) Yankees. You have to remember I grew up in the suburbs of New York and both my father and grandfather were big Yankees’ fans. Baseball has always been my favorite sport. I have followed the Yankees since the days in the late 1960’s when they were ordinary and the early 1990’s when they were lousy. A lot of people have jumped on the bandwagon ... but I have followed them going back to guys like Horace Clarke and people like Bobby Murcer, who aren’t superstars.
“Growing up probably (Mickey Mantle). I saw him at the tail-end of his career when he was not the player he once was, but he was still the one that you wanted to watch.”
If you could have dinner with any three people in history who would it be?
“I would probably choose Mickey Mantle, Babe Ruth and probably I guess Lou Gehrig. I think that would be cool.”
Who has been the single most important influence in your life?
“I would definitely say my parents. They have been very supportive of everything that I have done. They are extremely proud of what we have been able to accomplish. My father was a manager at IBM for 30 years and he always gave me very good advice about how to treat people, how to move up and how to handle certain situations. I have always tried to follow his advice.”
What was the sport that you played or were most fond of growing up?
”I dabbled in all sports, but the one I had the most proficiency in was baseball. I played shortstop in High School at Don Bosco High School in Ramsey, N.J. “
What sets the SoCon apart from other leagues?
“I think the three things that appeal to me are: (1) the tradition. In addition to the conference dating back to 1921 you have schools like College of Charleston that date back to 1770 and Davidson in the 1850’s. Tremendous tradition going back hundreds of years. That is appealing to me because I like history and tradition.
You also have a real commitment to (2) academics and not sacrificing what is important for the student part of student-athletes. When we make schedules or set up events we do not do it without a regard for how many missed classes and making sure that we avoid conflicts during final exams whenever possible. The fact that so many of these institutions have a great reputation for academics, that is appealing to me.
The third element is that we are so competitive; we are national champions in football. Tremendous basketball, baseball and soccer. The thing that I like is that when we send a team to the NCAA we have a reasonable chance to win and to advance in the tournament. Not too many conferences can say that.”
What do you think teams from mid-major conferences like George Mason and Bradley making it to the sweet 16 mean for mid-major leagues?
“I think it is great. I think it shows coaches and administrators and maybe, most importantly, presidents that it can be done. That with a commitment, with hiring the right people and then catching lightning in a bottle in terms of players that you have you can have that kind of success. It can be done. Look at the publicity that George Mason has received. There is an article in today’s (Tuesday, March 21) New York Times about the university, its ties to the community and how it has excited that community. They could not afford to pay for that kind of publicity. It shows what athletics can do to help brand and expose the institution to the general public."
What is your favorite gift that you ever received during the holiday season?
“Probably when I was about 10 or 11 my father took me to the sporting goods store and bought me a real baseball glove. Before that I had been using a kind of hand me down glove. I always remember that and I still have that glove.”
What is your favorite movie of all-time?
“The Great Escape. I always thought that was a fascinating story about how a group works together. They all had their different roles ... working for a goal. It was a great action movie and it has always been my favorite movie."
What is your favorite Southern dish?
“Key-Lime Pie. I do not know if that qualifies or not. I also like all kinds of barbecue.”
What cartoon character do you relate to the most?
“I think Bugs Bunny. He was a little bit of wise-guy but very street smart and I guess I kind of like to think of myself that way.”
What book has most influenced your life?
“Actually I read, ?All the President’s Men.’ I was just starting in college when I read that book. It had an influence ... I think that it just reinforced the fact that you can make a difference no matter what profession.”
Quick Hits With The Commish
Diet or Regular Diet
NFL or MLB MLB, but barely. I really like football too.
National or American American
DH or No DH No DH
Hot or Mild Hot
Sweet or Unsweet Unsweet
Yankees of Today or Yesteryear Yesteryear
TV or Radio Radio
Reading or Writing Reading
Pool or Ping-Pong Pool
Summer or Winter Summer
Dog or Cat Dog
Atari or Playstation Playstation