Providence, R.I.--Joseph F. D'Antonio '90, associate commissioner for compliance and governance of the BIG EAST Conference, has been named the recipient of the 2009 Frank Kara Leadership Award by the National Association for Athletics Compliance (NAAC).

The award is named in honor of former University of Minnesota director of compliance Frank Kara. Nominees must be an NAAC member; be employed as a full-time compliance administrator at an institution, conference, or the NCAA; demonstrate leadership and vision promoting athletics compliance; demonstrate commitment, cooperation, and allegiance in promoting excellence in athletics compliance; demonstrate a commitment to professional development and mentoring of compliance staff; serve as a positive role model; and be committed to rules education and monitoring.

As associate commissioner, D'Antonio is charged with oversight of the conference's NCAA governance, legislative, enforcement, legal, and compliance services. He also serves as chairman of the NCAA Division I Legislative Council and is a member of the NAAC Board of Directors.

"Any time you're given an award or honored by the people who do what you do, it's gratifying," said D'Antonio. "It's humbling to see them think of you in that regard."

After graduating from PC--where his interest in college athletics was kindled as manager of the men's ice hockey team--in 1990, D'Antonio graduated with dean's list honors from the New England School of Law in 1993. He was admitted to the Massachusetts Bar in 1994 and worked in private practice until 1997, when he returned to his alma mater to take a position in the athletics department.

Over the next eight years, D'Antonio was promoted on three separate occasions, eventually holding the position of associate athletic director of compliance and administration. He recalls his time at the College as being both rewarding and enjoyable.

"The ability for me to be successful at this job directly correlates to my time on campus," he said. "The opportunity to be at the school and work with student-athletes, coaches, administrators, and other departments on campus proved to be invaluable for me to transition into this job."

D'Antonio credited the people around him at PC for putting him in a position to achieve his goals at every step of his journey. He mentioned former assistant vice president of athletics and current BIG EAST commissioner John Marinatto '79, former BIG EAST commissioner Michael Tranghese, and PC associate vice president for athletics Robert Driscoll as significant influences, along with his parents, wife Karen and children Joseph III and Olivia, colleague Jennifer Condaras, and high school football coach Jim Kelleher.

"It's not without their support that I've been able to do what I do," said D'Antonio. "It's a blessing to have people who touch your life from a professional standpoint and a personal one as well."

--Joe Miller '10

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