Delco’s DiJulia set to retire as St. Joe’s AD

It’s impossible to go to an athletic event at Saint Joseph’s University and not run into Don DiJulia. The Delco native and long-time athletic director is everywhere and, like the school’s mascot, the Hawk, always on the move.

After 50 years in the business of college athletics, the St. James grad is about to get the chance to slow down.

The university announced Thursday that DiJulia will retire from his post at the end of the academic year. However, he will stay on as long as needed to ensure that the transition to a new AD is a smooth one.

“Don models and represents all that is good in college athletics,” University President Mark C. Reed said in a university statement. “He leads a highly visible and immensely complex area with professionalism, passion and, above all, integrity, capturing the admiration of coaches, athletes, peers and fans. Don’s legacy is etched on the university’s playing fields and courts and in the hearts of the Hawks he’s led. I am honored to have been able to work with him and look forward to his continuing relationship with SJU and wise counsel for years to come.”

DiJulia has served as athletic director for 35 years and this year marks his 50th in college athletics. He was the AD from 1976-81 and then returned to his alma mater for a second stint as AD in 1988.

“I have been fortunate and blessed to play a role and be part of the progress and growth of Saint Joseph’s athletics over the years,” DiJulia said.

“It’s a special place with special people, which provides so many extraordinary opportunities to our studentathletes.

“Athletics on Hawk Hill has always been a tremendous university asset and an integral part of the college experience. I’m so proud to have been a part of it.”

DiJulia graduated from Saint Joseph’s in 1967 and was a member of the baseball and basketball teams as an undergraduate. He was an assistant baseball coach for the Hawks in 1968 and then went on to serve as an assistant basketball coach at Fairfield, George Washington and American before returning to Hawk Hill as the athletic director.

He left SJU in 1981 to become the commissioner of the East Coast Conference and then left to take the same position in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference from 1984-88.

DiJulia was a second-team All-Delco in basketball for St. James in 1960 and played basketball, baseball and track at Saint Joseph’s. DiJulia also played a number of years in the Delco League.

“I have been fortunate and blessed to play a role and be part of the progress and growth of Saint Joseph’s athletics over the years,” DiJulia said. “It’s a special place with special people, which provides so many extraordinary opportunities to our studentathletes. Athletics on Hawk Hill has always been a tremendous university asset and an integral part of the college experience. I’m so proud to have been a part of it.”