Eastern Mennonite University Athletic Director Dave King named Mike Zucconi Sports Information Director on Friday, July 28, taking the place of Kevin Warner, who will be stepping down from his position effective August 7.
Zucconi, a 2005 graduate of EMU, returns to his alma mater from James Madison University, where he worked as an intern in the Sports Media Relations Office. At JMU, he served as the primary contact for softball, tennis, gymnastics, golf, and fencing. Prior to that, he served a four month baseball internship with the Princeton (W.Va.) Devil Rays, a rookie league affiliate of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and a member of the Appalachian League. Zucconi also worked four years in the Sports Information Office at EMU as a student, assisting with game statistics, press releases, and other assignments.
"We are thrilled to find someone of Mike's caliber to fill the vacancy this close to the start of the school year," King said of the hire. "He is familiar with both EMU as an institution and the specific responsibilities of the SID position. His work in the SID's office as a student, the internship at JMU this past year, and his passion for EMU make him a great fit for the position. Having worked for Kevin while he was a student, Mike is well-suited to keep the sports information department at the standards that Kevin helped to establish. Mike is eager and willing to learn and I am confident he will be a good fit."
EMU Vice President for Student Life, Dr, Ken L. Nafziger added, "I am pleased to welcome Michael Zucconi back to his alma mater where he began working in 2001 as a student assistant in the sports information office. He understands who we are and what EMU stands for, which will really help him communicate the message we want to get out about the quality of the EMU athletic experience that goes beyond wins and losses. "
"I am excited to be joining my alma mater as a member of the athletic department, Zucconi commented upon his hiring. During my four years at Eastern Mennonite I was able to grasp a better understanding of who I am and gain invaluable life experiences through my cross cultural experience. I look forward to covering EMU athletics and connecting with the EMU community again."
Warner is leaving EMU in order to assume the position of Assistant Sports Media Relations Director at JMU. He will serve as the primary contact for baseball, cross country, field hockey, swimming and diving, volleyball, and wrestling. He is a 2002 graduate of JMU and previously worked two years in the office as a student. Warner also served a one-year internship in the Colonial Athletic Association, the conference to which JMU belongs. While at EMU, he has also been working towards his Masters degree in Sport Leadership at Virginia Commonwealth University.
At EMU, Warner oversaw the universitys athletics communications efforts for the previous two years, serving as the schools first full-time SID. In that time, he redesigned the departments website, initiated internet broadcasting of athletic events, handled all department news releases, and maintained statistical records for all 16 sports offered by EMU.
"I am leaving EMU with mixed emotions," Warner commented. "I am proud of my accomplishments with the Royals and I will miss the coaches and athletes with whom I have formed relationships. I feel strongly that EMU is headed towards great things in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. At the same time, I am excited about the opportunity to take my skills to the Division I level by returning to my alma mater. JMU is a very special place to me so it was an offer too good to pass up."
King added, "Kevin has provided technical expertise along with marketing ideas and professional journalism that brought our athletic communications to new levels. He could be depended on to have everything ready prior to a game and to have all reports completed in timely manner after the game. We are very sorry to see him leave but understand the desire to work at his alma mater and wish him the best. Clearly he has set a high standard that we will seek to maintain."