By Andrew Badillo
At 64 years old and with 20 successful years as Quinnipiac University’s director of athletics and recreation under his belt, retirement seemed to be certain for Jack McDonald.
After announcing his retirement from Quinnipiac in October, McDonald was set on retiring to his cottage in Marshfield, Mass., but deep down McDonald knew he was not done.
“When I announced my retirement in October everybody kept saying Jack you have to stay busy and other opportunities will arise,” McDonald said.
And just like that at the NCAA convention in January, an opportunity appeared before McDonald.
“I saw a public announcement that the University of New England was adding a women’s rugby program and I’ve been actively involved the NCAA Women’s Rugby movement we’ve successfully added quite a few schools over the last three years,” McDonald said.
As Director of Athletics and Recreation at Quinnipiac, McDonald oversaw the creation and growth of a women’s rugby program that reached the national semifinals this past season.
Wanting to help the University of New England start up its women’s rugby program McDonald reached out to UNE President Danielle Ripich, Ph.D.
“He sent me an email from the NCAA Convention and said basically I’m not looking for a job, but I love your school, I know about it, if I can help you in anyway I’d love to talk to you,” Ripich said.
Shortly after reaching out to UNE, McDonald became a consultant to Ripich during UNE’s search for a new Athletic Director. But as the search carried on, McDonald’s interest in the position increased.
“I think over the course of our conversation he became more interested in the school eventually,” Ripich said. “Then once we opened the application later in the spring he decided to apply and we were very excited about it.”
“This wasn’t something that was on my bucket list it sort of evolved and I’m thrilled to have had 20 perfect years at Quinnipiac and now maybe extend my work experience for a little while longer,” McDonald said.
McDonald was appointed as associate vice president and director of athletics at UNE May 11. A private university located in Biddeford, Maine, UNE is a Division III school and competes in the Commonwealth Coast Conference.
One of McDonald’s greatest achievements at Quinnipiac was bringing it from the Division III to Division I level. But McDonald does not see the same transformation happening in McDonald’s time at UNE.
“The NCAA has not allowed people to go to Division I like they did 20 years ago at Quinnipiac. There’s some significant policies that restrict you from doing that,” McDonald said.
Instead McDonald and Ripich plan to focus on making UNE the best Division III school that it can possibly be.
“Our goal would be to continue to make the athletic department their, like Quinnipiac, whether it’s Division I, II, or III, you want it to be a respected department on your campus,” McDonald said.
President Ripich echoed McDonald’s words saying, “we want to be the best Division III school we can be and that’s really our plan right now.”
McDonald is now set for the foreseeable future at UNE, but the search still goes on at Quinnipiac for it’s new AD. McDonald doesn’t know whom President John Lahey has in mind for the job. McDonald has been vocal in his support for current Senior Associate Athletic Director Billy Mecca to succeed him as AD.
“Our athletic department would not be as successful as we’ve been without his work ethic and enthusiasm,” McDonald said. “If he’s given the opportunity to succeed me he’ll do a wonderful job.”