Ken Cerino Retiring After 16 Years at Western New England

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (August 30, 2016) – Ken Cerino has been a mainstay of the athletic department at Western New England University for the last 16 years, and within the sports information business for the last 42 years.

On Friday (Sept. 2), Cerino will work his final day at Western New England after spending 12 years as the Director of Athletic Communications and the past four as the Director of Athletic Publications. His retirement marks the end of a decorated career in athletic communications.  

"The Western New England athletic family owes much to Ken's tireless efforts and expertise in getting our programs and student-athletes the recognition they so richly deserved, particularly early in our 'early days'," Director of Athletics Mike Theulen said.

"He is a nationally recognized and respected professional in the world of sports information, and I want to thank him for all that he has done for our program in taking it from the 'outhouse to the penthouse'." 

Cerino and his wife Kelly at the Western New England-Coast Guard football game last fall.

Cerino, who also served as the Sports Information Director at Springfield College for 14 years, joined the Western New England staff in 2000.

The Wappingers Falls, N.Y. native was inducted into the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Hall of Fame in 1996, before receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award from the organization in 2013. Cerino was also the recipient of CoSIDA's Warren Berg Award for outstanding achievement in sports information in 1992, the same year he earned the Eastern College Athletic Conference's (ECAC) Irving T. Marsh Award for contributions and support of the ECAC Service Bureau.

A 1974 graduate of Saint Bonaventure University, Cerino earned his bachelor of arts degree in journalism. Prior to his arrival at Springfield College in 1986, Cerino's sports information career included stops at Siena College (1974-77), Iowa State University (1977-79), and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1979-86). He also had the opportunity to work the 1984 Summer Olympics, serving as an assistant press venue chief for fencing and women's volleyball.

"I've been very fortunate and grateful to work with a tremendous group of individuals, and I thank University president Dr. Anthony Caprio, athletics director Mike Theulen, senior associate athletics director Joe Sassi, and Richie Grabiec in Engineering who was on my search committee for the opportunity to become a Golden Bear," Cerino said.

"Watching this program develop into one of the most successful and respected in the region both athletically and academically has been terrific."

"I have worked with numerous administrators and coaches over the past four decades, and quite frankly, my Western New England colleagues are among the best in the business. Their commitment to providing the best possible experience for our student-athletes is commendable.

"In my opinion, being around our student-athletes has always been the best part of the job and I'm going to miss that the most."

Primary Photo (from left): Director of Athletics Mike Theulen, Cerino, former women's soccer coach Ron Dias, and Senior Associate Director of Athletics Joe Sassi at Cerino and Dias' retirement party on Monday.