Ed Wray
Credit: The Citadel
After thirteen years at The Citadel, the last six years as Director of Athletics, Mike Capaccio announced his retirement as athletics director today. Capaccio has spent more than 40 years in college athletics as a player, coach, fundraiser and athletic director.
A national search for a replacement will begin soon, with Capaccio staying on through the selection, hiring and onboarding of a replacement. Given his strong background in development and athletics, Capaccio will then transition to a role as a Senior Advisor to The Citadel President for Athletic Fundraising.
“I have greatly enjoyed my time at The Citadel, first at our foundation and then as the athletic director,” said Capaccio. “It has been an honor to work with the cadets, students, coaches and fans as our teams have competed across all our sports. We have laid the foundation for success in every program and I look forward to attending games and cheering for the Bulldogs for many years.”
Capaccio started his college athletics career as a basketball player at the University of Mary in North Dakota. Later he coached the Indian Hills (Iowa) Community College basketball team to three straight junior college national championships. He previously served as the interim Athletic Director at The Citadel, coming over from The Citadel Foundation where he was the Vice President for Athletic Development. Prior to that he was the CEO of the Brunswick (N.C.) Community College Foundation and served as the Athletic Director at UNC Wilmington.
“I want to thank Mike for his tireless dedication to The Citadel and his passion for our teams and athletes,” said The Citadel President, Gen. Glenn M. Walters, USMC (Ret.), ‘79. “Mike has had a role in recruiting topnotch coaches, renovating Johnson Hagood Stadium, raising funds for athlete scholarships, and navigating a dynamic college sports landscape far different than when he started out as a college athlete. The Citadel family is grateful for his leadership.”
In just the last three years, Capaccio helped identify and recruit to campus new head coaches in football, basketball and baseball among other sports. He is currently leading an effort to raise money to rebuild the East Side Stands at Johnson Hagood Stadium. He has also been active in using The Citadel’s athletic facilities to host widely attended community events that benefit Charleston.