Cameron University names new Director of Athletics

Cameron University has named Lou Izzi to be its new Director of Athletics.

Izzi will begin employment on Feb. 1 and formally assume leadership responsibilities on March 1 upon the retirement of Jim Jackson after 19 years of service. Izzi has 25 years of relevant experience as a coach and athletic administrator, including eight years of experience as an athletic director or vice president for athletics.

“We’re excited to welcome Lou to Cameron,” said John McArthur, president. “Working alongside Jim Jackson for the first month of his tenure will give Lou a fast-track to the inner workings of CU’s policies and procedures. Combined with his experience in the world of intercollegiate athletics, he will maintain the high standards of success that Jim established in both athletic competition and in the classroom.”Izzi comes to CU from American International College (AIC) in Springfield, Mass., where he served as vice president as athletics for the past two years. In that role, he was responsible for the strategic leadership, development, and operational management of the college’s competitive athletics program comprised of 25 NCAA Division II varsity sports, a successful Division I men’s ice hockey program, 700 student-athletes, and 65 full-time employees. As a member of the president’s cabinet, he was a significant contributor to the development and execution of the college’s new strategic plan.

“In just two years at AIC, Lou set and achieved numerous goals, including increased student-athlete retention, new student recruitment achieved by expanding athlete recruiting nationally and internationally, increased department revenue and athletics giving and multiple facility renovations,” McArthur said. “His strategic planning and energetic approach to achieving goals will propel Cameron athletics to continuing success.”

Izzi has also helmed athletic programs at the University of Bridgeport and New England College. He began his career as the head men’s ice hockey coach at Johnson and Wales University in Providence, R.I., and at Nichols College in Dudley, Mass. He holds a Master of Science degree in sports administration from Canisius College in Buffalo, N.Y., and a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Providence College in Providence, R.I.

“I have no doubt that Lou’s expertise in athletic administration will provide a seamless transition for Aggie athletics,” McArthur said.

Following Jackson’s retirement, Izzi will undertake responsibility for leadership, management, operations and fundraising for Cameron’s intercollegiate athletic operations, including recruiting, professional development, support and supervision of coaches and athletics staff. He will also work to ensure the quality of the student-athlete experience in all aspects of student life by working collaboratively and creatively with the other members of the university administrative team.

Specific responsibilities include supporting academic success including persistence and degree completion for student athletes and graduate assistants, ensuring a positive, safe and healthy environment for athletic competition for student-athletes and for the workplace for athletic personnel, oversight of athletics budget management, and leading athletic fundraising efforts and supporting university fundraising efforts including alumni engagement and donor cultivation.

He also will supervise and plan for the general care, maintenance and improvement of campus athletic facilities; ensure conformity and compliance with rules, regulations, and policies of the NCAA, Lone Star Conference and Cameron University; provide frequent, pervasive and positive engagement with the local community and with athletic supporters; and promote and market athletic teams and events.