SUNY Oneonta Athletics Director Ryan Hooper is announcing that Assistant Director of Athletics and Sports Information Director Geoff Hassard will be retiring after 23 years at the college.  Hassard will retire on July 5th.

"First off, I want to thank Geoff for all his hard work and dedication to the Athletic Department, and to also congratulate him on his retirement," said Hooper.  "Geoff has been a staple within the department for 23 years and has played many roles over that time, Sports Information Director; Assistant Athletic Director; serving on various campus committees, including serving as the Chair of the Hall of Fame Committee; supervisor; mentor; colleague; and friend.  I cannot put into words what he has meant to this Athletic Department and to this campus.  He has had an impact on so many individuals in his time at the college, including thousands of students.  Geoff is the history of Oneonta Athletics and epitomizes what it means to be a true Red Dragon, he is red and white through and through."

Hooper continued, "To honor Geoff's legacy, I proposed, and the entire athletics department staff agreed to create an award in his name.  The Geoff Hassard Commitment Award will now be an annual award given to a student athlete that embodies the traits of Geoff.  This student athlete will exemplify the qualities of hard work, dedication, loyalty and commitment to their team, Athletic Department, and community.  We couldn't think of a better way to honor him.  Thank you, Geoff.  We're excited to see what this next chapter of life has in store for you."
"First, I want to thank SUNY Oneonta for giving me an opportunity to be a part of its community for the past 23 years," said Hassard.  "I can't express in words the appreciation and admiration I have for the current and past administrators, coaches and athletic trainers that have made this journey unforgettable."

Hassard continued, "I have always said that my job was like one long movie filled with highlights that I will never forget.  I have been fortunate to have a front row seat and be witness to some of the greatest moments and performances in the history of SUNY Oneonta Athletics.  From the National and Conference Champions to the All-Americans and record-setting student athletes, I will cherish every moment and never forget the joy it brought to me personally."

Hassard spent 30 years overall as an athletics communications professional.  Hired in the summer of 1999, he was Oneonta's first full-time Sports Information Director and spent 16 of his 23 years in the dual role of Assistant Athletics Director.
 
Hassard handled all publicity for the College's 21 varsity athletic programs, maintained the Athletics Department web site, produced all the Department's publications including the development of the official newsletter for the athletics department called "Dragon Tales", which is in its 23^rd year of printing.
Hassard also developed a weekly show called "Inside Red Dragon Sports" which aired on the department's YouTube channel for six years.  Most recently, he developed a podcast called "The Ozone" which is in its second season.

He was responsible for researching and compiling the historical records of the varsity athletics program while maintaining records and statistics for all teams and individual athletes.  Additionally, he oversaw the department's end-of-year awards ceremony and was an integral member of various planning committees within the department for numerous events.
During his tenure, Hassard was responsible for the development and design of the department's first website before partnering with Sidearm Sports in 2009 to enhance the integration and ability to deliver athletics information more effectively and efficiently.  The current website is considered one of the most comprehensive in the country with regards to the information that is available to fans of the program.

Hassard was solely responsible for elevating the technological capabilities of the sports information area including hardware and software in the domains of statistics and livestreaming of athletics events.  He oversaw the first livestreams of an NCAA Division III National Championship in 2003 and NCAA Cross Country Regional Championship in 2010.  He has also been the host of numerous NCAA and ECAC Tournament events including the 2003 women's soccer national championship weekend.

Hassard served as the Chair of the College's Athletic Hall of Fame Committee and sat on the College's Institutional Communications Group, which was charged with the development and implementation of communication and branding strategies for the college.  He spearheaded the design and implementation of the athletics redesign of its logo while spurring the college to pursue the trademark for the "Fast O".  He was a contributing writer for Reflections Magazine, which is the official publication of the Office of Alumni Engagement.
 
Prior to his arrival to Upstate New York, Hassard spent five years at WPI in Worcester, Mass. as its Sports Information Director where he was responsible for promoting 19 varsity teams.  He was involved in the University's athletic booster club, Hall of Fame, alumni events and was responsible for promoting athletes for the Academic All-America program.
 
Hassard was an active member of both his national and regional organizations - College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) and the ECAC Sports Information Directors Association ECAC-SIDA.  He served a three-year term (2008-11) on the Board of Directors of CoSIDA as the College Division Representative from the Northeast Region. He served on the Academic All-America Committee, which he had done since 1995 as a District Coordinator for various programs.  In 2008, he added additional duties as Director of Publicity for the Academic All-America program, a position he held until the spring of 2010.  He then served as a National Coordinator until the spring of 2019 before becoming a part of the awards committee helping to verify and disseminate all awards for the entire AAA program.  Hassard was a presenter on panels and table topics at the CoSIDA national convention on multiple occasions.
 
Hassard served on the ECAC-SIDA Executive Board for nine years culminating with his Presidency in 2012-13.  In 2015, he received the organization's college division Irving T. Marsh Award, which recognizes excellence in and service to the profession.
 
Additionally, Hassard served ECAC-SIDA in various capacities including being on the Rookie Committee and Membership Committee.  He was part of the local organizing committee for two professional development workshops and, in 2006, hosted the ECAC-SIDA professional development workshop in Oneonta.
 
During his tenure at Oneonta, 36 athletes received Academic All-District honors 58 times including 44 on the first team.  Twenty-five of his athletes earned national Academic All-America status including five first team selections.
 
A native of Stoneham, Mass., Hassard is a 1989 magna cum laude graduate of Bridgewater (MA) State College where he received a bachelor's degree in physical education and teacher certification for grades 5-12.  In 1990, he completed a Master of Education degree from Springfield College concentrating in athletic administration.
 
Hassard has been an adjunct professor, has coached at both the college and high school level in the sports of football, basketball, track & field and softball.
On June 13^th, Hassard will be receiving a Retiree Award from the SUNYAC at its annual awards ceremony being held in Syracuse at the Embassy Suites.