Le Moyne College names Beretta as director of athletics

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Le Moyne College on Thursday announced it has hired Bob Beretta as its new director of athletics.

He replaces Tim Fenton, who served as interim athletic director (AD) for the past 18 months. Fenton had stepped in after Matt Bassett retired as AD on June 30, 2019, following nearly 12 years on the Heights.

Beretta, who is just the fourth AD in Le Moyne College’s 75-year history, will start in his new position on May 1. He comes to Le Moyne following a 34-career at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, most recently holding the position of senior associate AD for strategic initiatives.

Beretta was born and raised in Newburgh, and went on to St. Bonaventure University in Olean, where he captained the baseball team and earned a bachelor’s degree in mass communication. He was a four-time letter winner and three-time team captain of the baseball team.

Beretta began his career in sports information and was selected to the College Sports Information Directors Hall of Fame in 2020. He has been involved in all facets of departmental planning and processes at Army West Point, Cadet-Athlete life, sports-program administration, and all facets of external operations, including athletics development and revenue-generation initiatives.

 Beretta is married to Jennifer (Johnson) Beretta, also a graduate of St. Bonaventure. They have one daughter, Julia, who is a senior at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut.

Reaction to Beretta’s hiring

“Le Moyne is thrilled to welcome Bob to the Dolphin family in this important position,” Linda LeMura, president of the college, said in a statement. “His extensive experience at Army, where he worked in a number of roles within the institution’s athletic department, have prepared him well to serve as Le Moyne’s Athletic Director. Bob has a deep appreciation and understanding of Jesuit education and the role that the scholar-athlete experience provides in cultivating a life of meaning and leadership.”

Jeff Monken, football head coach at Army West Point, lauded Beretta’s work ethic and role in helping rebuild the Army football program.

“Bob Beretta is one of the most loyal, hard-working, and professional administrators I have worked with in college athletics. He has been instrumental in Army’s success as an athletic program and the resurgence of our football program,” Monken said in a statement. “Le Moyne is fortunate to have Bob join them as a leader of their athletic department. I am certain he will take their entire program and institution to new heights.”