Frank Sullivan Named Associate Commissioner - AmericaEast.com
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - America East Commissioner Patrick Nero announced today the hiring of Frank Sullivan as associate commissioner effective July 1.
Sullivan, who was the league's coordinator of men's basketball officials and color analyst for television broadcasts during the 2007-08 season, will serve as the conference's primary administrator for men's basketball in his new role. He will continue to oversee men's basketball officiating and will also be the league's liaison with supervisors of officials in all conference sponsored sports on common initiatives such as sportsmanship, technology and ways to improve officiating.
“I am very pleased that Frank has agreed to join us on a full-time basis,” said Nero. “In his first year, Frank had a tremendous impact in the areas he directed for us. I am confident that as we now expand his role, he will continue to be a positive force for the America East Conference. Our athletic directors and coaches are also excited that Frank will have a greater presence. He brings a reputation of excellent leadership and integrity within intercollegiate athletics to the position.”
Sullivan, who brings 33 years of collegiate basketball coaching experience to the conference, was the head coach at Harvard University for 16 years. He is the Crimson's all-time winningest coach with 178 career victories.
Prior to Harvard, Sullivan was the head coach at Bentley College for seven season, where he amassed a 114-86 overall mark and led the Falcons to NCAA Division II tournament appearances in 1985 and 1989.
Sullivan began his coaching career on the collegiate level in 1974 as an assistant at Villanova University for Rollie Massimino, whom he played for in high school. Sullivan spent three season with the Wildcats and helped them to a third-place finish at the NIT in 1977. He also was an assistant at Lehigh University (1977-1982) under Brian Hill, former head coach of the Orlando Magic and Vancouver Grizzlies, and Seton Hall University (1982-1984) under P.J. Carlesimo, current head coach of the Seattle SuperSonics.
"In the short time I've worked in the conference office I've come to truly appreciate the respect and value the membership places on men's basketball," said Sullivan. "It's a privilege to be asked to expand into such an exciting role."
Sullivan is a member of the National Association of Basketball Coaches International Committee and has spent portions of two summers (1993, 2001) in Portugal, working with that country’s national coaches association. He has worked with similar clinics in Italy. He is also a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame’s Bob Cousy Collegiate Point Guard Award committee.
Sullivan, a native of Lexington, Mass., attended Westfield State College, where he lettered for three years and captained the basketball team before graduating in 1973 with a bachelor’s degree in English. Sullivan later earned a master’s degree in guidance from Villanova.