Utica, N.Y. (11/18/2011) - Please join Utica College at the Harold T. Clark Athletic Center on Thursday, Dec. 1st as it hosts “Jim Spartano Night” during the Pioneers men's basketball game against local rival Hamilton College.  Throughout the evening UC will honor Director of Athletics Jim Spartano - who will retire on Dec. 31st - for his 38 years of service as a coach, administrator and mentor at the College.  The contest is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. and it will be televised live on Time Warner Cable Sports.  The first 500 fans will receive a free orange commemorative t-shirt and fans are also encouraged to wear Orange to the game to take part in the College's “Orange Out” in honor of Spartano.

At halftime the College will honor Spartano with a recognition ceremony.  The fact that that Pioneers will be taking on the Continentals is certainly a suitable environment to honor Spartano considering the rivalry between the two programs that dates back to his days as the head men's basketball coach (1974-1980, 1994-95). 

Jim Spartano began his career at Utica College in 1973 and since joining the department he has held positions as Director of Athletics as well as head coach of the baseball, men's basketball and women's basketball teams. After accepting his position as Director of Athletics in 1982 he has watched the UC athletic department develop from a small Division I program into a Division III institution that offers 25 NCAA sponsored sports.

Since the year 2000, Spartano has guided the UC athletic program to new heights, including the addition of 13 varsity sports, and he currently oversees over 50 staff members and 640 student-athletes.

He has spearheaded the expansion of several athletic facilities on campus including the Harold T. Clark Jr. Athletic Center, the Gary M. Kunath Fitness Center, the Harold T. Clark Sr. Team Facility, Charles A. Gaetano Stadium and the College's Annex at the Utica Memorial Auditorium.

Throughout the years, he has been the proud leader of several NCAA Tournament teams, a vast intramural program, and multiple All-American selections.

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