Judy Ann Riccio is New SHU Athletics Director
Riccio joins only 56 other female athletic directors from 357 D-I schools
Sacred Heart University announced today that Judy Ann Riccio will be its next director of athletics. She has been serving as interim director since June 8. The first female athletic director to lead the University’s D-I sports program, Riccio becomes the 57th woman to lead a Division I athletic program currently out of 357 D-I schools; only 36 of those schools have football programs.
“Today is a historic day for SHU athletics, and I am incredibly honored to have the privilege of becoming the first female athletic director to lead the Pioneers. I will work every day to provide our student-athletes with the best possible experience,” Riccio said. She credited SHU president John J. Petillo and Jim Barquinero, senior vice president of enrollment, student affairs & athletics, with providing their support and confidence in her ability to lead the program. “I am looking forward to building upon our legacy of success both on the fields of competition and in the classroom,” she said.
“This is a transformational day for SHU athletics,” Barquinero said. “Judy Ann’s leadership skills, combined with her passion for the student-athlete experience, will allow her to build on the success of our 33 D-I programs. I am excited to see her impact as she takes on leadership of our program and builds on the success we have already experienced. Judy Ann truly is a Pioneer.”
“Judy Ann brings a wealth of institutional and industry experience as well as a commitment to the University’s mission,” Petillo said. “She has demonstrated excellence in every facet of the program from policies and procedures to the fan experience, and I look forward to seeing our program continue to flourish under her leadership.”
“I’m very excited for the future of Sacred Heart athletics with Judy Ann at the helm on a permanent basis. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience, both internal and external to athletics, that will position her and the department for continued success,” said Noreen Morris, commissioner of the Northeast Conference (NEC). “Just as critical, Judy Ann has built excellent relationships throughout campus and is well respected for her work ethic, dedication to mentoring her administrators and coaches and passion and commitment for the student-athlete experience. Congratulations to Dr. Petillo for making this hire. Judy Ann will be a strong addition to the NEC AD family.”
As executive director of the divisional budget and chief financial officer of intercollegiate athletic budgets for the last 17 years, Riccio has overseen the department’s growing budget and contributed to the strategic distribution of institutional funds. In July of 2020, she added senior woman administrator duties to her resume. Riccio has served on the University’s Title IX Committee, the Pioneer Journey of Transformational Education Committee, as well as the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Working Group. She has been involved in all aspects of the administration of SHU athletics and is extremely familiar with the program and its history. She improved the fan experience at home SHU games with the implementation of the Outpost hospitality area and also helped lead the SHU cheerleading squad to back-to-back national championships.
Riccio began her career as an auditor for Price Waterhouse before moving to higher education. She worked in the finance divisions at both Hofstra University and Fairfield University prior to joining Sacred Heart.
Riccio is a 1996 graduate of Fairfield University with a degree in accounting. She received her master’s degree in business administration from Hofstra in 2000. A native of Seaford, NY, she currently resides in Trumbull with her husband, Frank, and two children, Ryan and Lauren.
Pictured, from left, are Jim Barquinero, Judy Ann Riccio and President John Petillo.