May 24, 2007

CASTALDO NAMED INTERIM ATHLETIC DIRECTOR AT TCNJ

ICENHOWER NAMED INTERIM SENIOR ASSOCIATE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR

The College of New Jersey Vice President for Student Life Jim Norfleet has announced the appointment of John Castaldo as the interim athletic director for the College. Castaldo, TCNJ’s current men’s basketball coach and a 1982 graduate of the College, will assume the interim athletic director position effective June 1. TCNJ will conduct a national search for the permanent athletic director and will select an interim men’s basketball coach for the coming season.

Castaldo replaces Kevin McHugh, who resigned to accept a position as the director of athletics and chair of the Department of Physical Education at Bates College. Castaldo’s appointment was announced on May 24 by Vice President Norfleet at an athletic staff meeting.

At the meeting, Castaldo explained the athletic department will undertake new initiatives in the coming year and that TCNJ’s head wrestling coach and assistant athletic director, David Icenhower will assume additional administrative responsibilities as interim senior associate athletic director, while maintaining his title as head wrestling coach at TCNJ. Castaldo said the appointment of an interim men's basketball coach would be made in the near future.

Castaldo holds both undergraduate and master’s degrees from TCNJ, having earned a bachelor of science degree in urban administration in 1982 and a master’s of education in administration of physical education and athletic management in 1983.

Castaldo has served at the helm of TCNJ’s men's basketball program for 14 seasons. He returned to his alma mater in 1993 and proceeded to rebuild the Lions’ men’s basketball program. In fourteen seasons at the helm, Castaldo has compiled a record of 200-149 at TCNJ. Including his stint at McCorristin High School, Castaldo has an overall coaching record of 410-209.

Castaldo remained at then Trenton State College following his graduation and earned a master's degree from the College. Born and raised in the Trenton area, Castaldo's local ties are extremely strong. He was honored in 2004 by the Golden Wave Club and presented with the prestigious Reverend Clarence O’Shea Memorial Award for his area contributions and on the court successes. The award also comes on the heels of being inducted in 2003 to McCorristin Catholic’s Hall of Fame.

Castaldo, 47, came to TCNJ from nearby McCorristin High School, where he had been serving as both the boy’s basketball coach and the athletic director. In conjunction with his McCorristin coaching duties, Castaldo also served as the athletic director from January 1985 until September 1993. He was responsible for all phases of the athletic department as well as developing an academic counseling program for student-athletes at the Trenton-based high school.

At TCNJ, Castaldo has also served as the coordinator of event staffing for the College’s fall and spring varsity athletic contests, while also working on marketing and promotions of the College’s 20 varsity athletic programs.