Pace Athletic Director Joe O'Donnell Leaves Lasting Legacy

Posted: Nov 27, 2020

It was nearly 10 years ago that former Athletic Director Joe O’Donnell retired from Pace University, however, his undeniable impact is still prevalent throughout the Pleasantville Campus.

In 14 seasons at Pace, O’Donnell orchestrated one of the most successful eras in Pace Athletics history.

Between 1997-2011, the Setters saw numerous postseason appearances, eight Northeast-10 Conference titles, two ECAC Championships, and nearly 20 NCAA Tournament appearances. Among the NCAA DII Tournament berths were three NCAA Elite 8 finishes and a pair of NCAA Sweet-16 runs.

In just his second year at the helm for Pace, O’Donnell was already making his mark by conducting the school’s transition from the New York Collegiate Athletic Conference (NYCAC) to its new and current home within the Northeast-10.

Under O’Donnell, Pace Athletics grew from 11 varsity sports to 14, adding women’s soccer as well as the men’s and women’s swimming and diving programs during his tenure.

It was evident he had an eye for talent, as 1998 marked his hire of head women’s soccer coach Mike Winn who remains in the position today, 22 years later. Winn would even go on to lead the program to a run to the 2016 NE10 Championship game in the same year that O’Donnell himself was inducted into the Pace Athletics Hall of Fame.

Winn, along with his wife, Kerry, also created the Joe O'Donnell Endowed Fund for Pace Women’s Soccer during the 2019-20 school year. The endowment, which was named to continue the great legacy of O’Donnell, will be used to supplement and enhance the areas of most need for the women's soccer program.

"Joe was a special person who believed in and supported his student-athletes and staff," said Winn, now in his 21st year as Head Women's Soccer Coach and 14th as Associate Athletics Director. "He provided me and so many of our alumni the opportunity to become better people through the college athletics experience. Kerry and I will always be thankful for the support that Joe and his beloved wife, Marie, provided our family, and we are excited for Joe's memory to live on with the soccer program that he founded."

In addition to adding three varsity programs, O’Donnell played an instrumental role in the development and opening of the Ann & Alfred Goldstein Health, Fitness & Recreation Center. Established in 2002, the Goldstein Fitness Center remains one of the finest athletics facilities in the region and home to the Pace volleyball, men's and women's swimming and diving, men's and women's basketball teams and hundreds of events each year.

In addition, O’Donnell oversaw the renovation of Howard Johnson Hall on Pace's Briarcliff campus, which held several coaching offices, meeting rooms, locker rooms and a training room. The project also included upgrades to the softball field and a new field for the women's soccer team.

His innovation continued with the initiation of the Pace Athletics Hall of Fame, which now includes 75 inductees in 18 classes, and has grown to become a premiere event for the department. He also established the Setters Club, which is the fundraising arm of the Pace University Athletics Department, along with the Pace Athletics Golf Classic. The Golf Classic, now in its 23^rd year of existence, has grown into the department’s biggest fundraising event.

O'Donnell devoted most of his professional career to college athletics. Prior to his tenure at Pace, he served as Athletics Director at American University in Washington, D.C. for more than eight years.

O'Donnell also worked in the athletics department at Wichita State and served as Associate Athletics Director at La Salle for 12 years. He began his career as a teacher and soccer coach at Father Judge High School in Philadelphia, Pa., where he was inducted into the Soccer Hall of Fame.

What they Are Saying:

Mark Brown, Pace University Director of Athletics and Recreation
“I’ve been so fortunate to follow legendary athletic directors here at Pace and Joe was one of those guys. His vision and drive laid the foundation for all the success we are seeing now. Joe was a giant in our industry and I’m so blessed to have been able to follow the path he established here at Pace.”

Claudia Stabile, Pace University Head Softball Coach/Associate Athletics Director
“Joe O’Donnell had a positive and lasting impact on countless student-athletes, coaches and staff at Pace University. During his tenure, he worked tirelessly to improve not only the athletic facilities, but more importantly, the overall experience of Pace students and student-athletes.”

Carrie Seymour, Pace University Head Women’s Basketball Coach
“Joe was a great leader in the Pace community and Athletic Department. He was well-liked and respected by our student-athletes – our players knew he was “the boss”, but he was also their friend and biggest supporter. Joe was good at his job because to him, it wasn’t a job. He was very passionate about his role in growing Pace Athletics, and his dedication to this department was something I always admired.”

Joe O'Donnell Links of Note:

ABOUT THE NE10
Beginning its 40th anniversary season, the NE10 is an association of 14 diverse institutions serving student-athletes across 24 NCAA Division II sports. Together we build brilliant futures by embracing the journey of every student-athlete.

Each year, 4,500 of those student-athletes compete in conference championships in 24 sports, making the NE10 the largest DII conference in the country in terms of sport sponsorship. Leading the way in the classroom, on the field and within the community, the NE10 is proud of its comprehensive program and the experience it provides student-athletes.