SACRAMENTO - Jennifer Cardone has been selected Interim Executive Director of the California Community College Athletic Association after serving more than five years as the organization's Director of Membership Services, it was announced on Thursday.
Cardone replaces Carlyle Carter, who stepped aside from the position after nearly 15 years. She will begin her new duties on Jan. 1.
"The Board of Directors is looking forward to working with Jennifer Cardone as we begin the implementation of our 2020-2023 Strategic Plan," said Dr. Keith Curry, President/CEO of Compton College and Board Chair. "This is an exciting time to be involved in California Community College athletics. The Board of Directors will work with Jennifer to ensure the success of our organization."
Cardone has more than 25 years of experience in postsecondary education, including as Compliance Assistant at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln from 1994-97 and overseeing Compliance Services at the University of California, Davis, from 1997-2013.
"I'm excited about the opportunity to lead our amazing association," said Cardone. "I have admired the dedication and achievements of our student-athletes, coaches and administrators while in my current position and look forward to working with our members in my new role."
Cardone joined the CCCAA in 2014 and has been extensively involved with many areas of the organization, most notably directing the annual legislative process from submission of proposals to review by the CCCAA Board and Management Council Committees to electronic voting at the annual convention.
She annually edits the CCCAA Constitution and Bylaws, coordinates the compliance examination process for the 109 member colleges, conferences, affiliate organizations and coaches organizations, and serves as a liaison to the Management Council and Constitution Committee.
"Jennifer has been very helpful as the liaison to Management Council and to myself as the Chair," said Kanoe Bandy, Athletic Director at Taft College. "The preparation and exchange before our meetings begins weeks in advance. I appreciate Jennifer's patience and advice during this process as we work towards doing bigger and better things for our student-athletes."
Bandy's thoughts were echoed by Erika Endrijonas, Superintendent-President of Pasadena City College and Board of Directors Vice-Chair: "I know that Jennifer is going to do a great job as the Interim Executive Director for the CCCAA. She is the consummate professional and she brings a wealth of experience and knowledge of collegiate sports at the two- and four-year levels to the position."
The Community College League of California oversees the CCCAA and the organizations partner on many endeavors while also sharing offices in Sacramento.
"Jennifer Cardone brings decades of experience, a personal and professional understanding of the importance and value of the student-athlete experience, and a detailed and comprehensive knowledge of the CCCAA and its mission to this vital leadership role," said Larry Galizio, President/CEO of the CCLC and also a member of the CCCAA Board of Directors.
At UC Davis, Cardone oversaw all compliance services for the NCAA Division I program that encompassed as many as 27 intercollegiate sports and more than 500 student-athletes. She helped oversee the school's five-year transition from Div. II to Div. I, implementing technology to ensure an active, reportable and engaged compliance program.
She monitored an athletics grant-in-aid program that annually awarded more than $6 million, supervised the field hockey and men's soccer programs, and was involved with many other key areas of the athletics administration. She ended her tenure there as Associate Athletics Director.
Cardone earned her undergraduate degree in physical education from Adelphi University in 1990, where she was a starting shortstop for its softball team that advanced to the Women's College World Series in 1988. She received her master's in educational administration from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2000.
The Board has established a committee to begin working on the search for a permanent CEO of CCCAA, the goal is for the committee to provide recommendations to the board at their February 2020 board meeting.
Release by Mike Robles (CCCAA Director of Sports Information)