Val Belmonte, director of
athletics at Union College,
has announced he will leave the College at the end of September to become
executive director of U.S. Figure Skating, the national governing body of the
sport, based in Colorado Springs.
“Val has done great things for
Union athletics in his time here and he will be sorely missed,” said Roger Hull,
president of Union College.
“It speaks well for Val and for the College that he was chosen to lead such a prestigious
organization.”
Belmonte joined the College July 1, 2000.
For the past three years, Union
has finished among the top in the standings for the United States Sports
Academy Directors' Cup, last year finishing 63rd based on finish in
the NCAA or NAIA championships. The College was 57th in 2002-03, and
59th in 2001-02. About 430 Div. III colleges and universities are
eligible for ranking.
Last year, Union
had four UCAA players of the year, two UCAA coaches of the year; 42 all
conference selections in the UCAA, 83 all-academic honors; and the 14 NCAA All
American selections.
Also during Belmonte's tenure, the
College constructed a complex with seating and press box at Frank Bailey Field,
renovated Achilles Center and dedicated Frank Messa Rink, and began
construction of the Viniar Sports Complex, a facility for men's and women's
basketball to be dedicated this year. The College is completing construction of
an artificial field complex at the Inn at College
Park, the former Ramada Inn.
Belmonte also was instrumental in
the recent restructuring of the ECAC Div. I men's hockey league, in which Union
participates.
Before joining Union,
Belmonte was director of USA Hockey's coaching program, a position he held
since 1991. Prior to that, he served as assistant athletic director and head
hockey coach at the University of Illinois-Chicago
and assistant hockey coach at Harvard
University. He received his B.S.
from the University of Illinois-Chicago and an M.Ed. from the University of
North Dakota. He is a member of the U.S. Olympic Committee's coaching
committee, working with U.S.
coaches in a variety of Olympic sports. He is the author or editor of
publications including Coaches Ethics Code and a number of hockey
coaching manuals.
“My experience at Union
has prepared me well for this next step in my career,” said Belmonte. “I want to thank Union College President
Roger Hull and Vice President of Academic Affairs Christie Sorum for their
support, and I wish all of Union's coaches and
student-athletes great success in their quest for achieving sustained
competitive excellence.”
Dwight Wolf, associate dean for
academic services and planning, will add the job of interim director of
athletics to his portfolio, Sorum said. He will be working closely with Ramsey
Baker, associate director of athletics; Joanne Little, assistant director; and
other staff. The College will start a search for a permanent successor in the coming
year, she said.
U.S. Figure Skating is recognized
by the U.S. Olympic Committee and the International Skating Union. The
association, comprised of more than 585 member clubs and 170,000 members, is
charged with the development of athletes and officials, event organization and rules.
“We are thrilled to have Val join
the staff of U.S. Figure Skating,” said U.S. Figure Skating President Chuck
Foster. “He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to this position, and
it is wonderful to have him in this important leadership role as we begin the
2004-2005 season. He is a welcome addition to the organization and to the
sport.”