Dr. Thomas M. Brennan, who helped Goldey-Beacom's Department of Athletics make the next step forward, has announced his retirement after serving five years as the College's Director of Athletics.
Brennan's retirement will be effective late August, with the intention to help facilitate a smooth transition for the upcoming academic year. This puts a bow on a nearly 45-year career in athletic administration, which included many special accomplishments.
1976-1980 Syracuse University Assistant Athletic Director
1980-1986 University of New Mexico Assistant/Associate AD
1986-1990 Loyola College (MD) Director of Athletics
1990-1997 San Jose State University Director of Athletics
1997-2016 La Salle University Director of Athletics
2016-2021 Goldey-Beacom College Director of Athletics
"Dr. Brennan brought vision and inspiration to the athletic program at Goldey-Beacom," Goldey-Beacom College President Dr. Colleen Perry Keith said. "He understood that athletics programs should offer something that lasts beyond the season and implemented ideas and programming that helped our student-athletes to see how they relate to the wider world. He carried on our proud athletic tradition but enhanced it with a view that placed athletics in a wider context and we are all better off for him having done that. We certainly will miss him and wish him all the best!"
"It's time to bring closure to my nearly 45-year career in Athletic Administrations, a career that includes 35 years as an Athletics Director at four different institutions," Brennan remarked. "It has been a good run and as a friend (former colleague) told me recently - it's not the money raised, the buildings and facilities completed or the wins… it's the relationships that you will cherish; and that is what has always been important to me. Goldey-Beacom has been my last stop and what a great place to have landed, now with friends and memories that will be long-lasting. I will continue to have great interest in happenings at Goldey and will be only a phone call away if people ever need some assistance."
In what he knew would be his final career move prior to retirement, his goals at GBC were to help raise the professional level of the program; to mentor coaches and staff; and to develop longer-term plans for the department during an unprecedented period of growth.
"Dr. Brennan took the helm of the Athletic Department at the onset of a growth spurt as we were adding baseball, and then put it into a whole other gear," Associate Athletic Director Jeremy Benoit said. "Tom's bevy of experience and his knack for mentorship was an invaluable asset to me as a young athletic administrator, but I think also for other key areas of the College. Goldey-Beacom Athletics is now well-poised for long-term growth and improvement."
"An amazing career spanning across five decades, Dr. Thomas Brennan undoubtedly has left his mark as one of the most respected administrators in collegiate athletics," Vice President of Student Affairs & Athletics Chuck Hammond adds. "Tom's leadership has not only transformed our Athletic Department but most importantly, the student-athlete experience. Leading the Lightning to unparalleled academic and athletic success, Tom's vision has cultivated the development of the Athletic Leadership Academy, the expansion of sport offerings, athletic facility expansion and enhancements and the addition of the Lightning Fund. Tom has been a trusted advisor and I'm very proud to call him a friend."
Dr. Brennan's tenure at GBC was highlighted by the following achievements:
- The GBC Lightning Fund, the department's primary fundraising initiative, was introduced.
- Three varsity sports were advanced:
- Baseball
- Men's Track & Field
- Women's Track & Field
- Significant facility enhancements were advanced:
- Soccer field branding and scoreboard installation
- Jones Center rebranding and multi-million-dollar renovation
- Softball field renovation (to be revealed in 2021-22 Academic Year)
- Comprehensive Strategic Plan was completed
- NCAA Strategic Alliance Matching Grant was completed and received
- CACC Community Engagement Award and NCAA Division II Award of Excellence 3rd Place received
- Student-athlete academic achievement surpassed institutional and national performance indicators
In addition to the above, he was also responsible for the creation and advancement of the Athletic Leadership Academy. The Leadership Academy was created by Dr. Brennan to bring a more intentional approach to leadership development for student-athletes and coaches. It was comprised of several leadership seminars which, with the help of GBC Faculty Member Dr. Nicole Evans, allowed Athletics to continue to bridge the gap between Athletics and the other areas of campus. In its first two years, the Leadership Academy has realized tremendous growth and has created plans to introduce a mentor program with GBC faculty and staff, an alumni employment panel, and a community engagement initiative with nearby Linden Hill Elementary School.
GBC Athletics has also realized an uptick in athletic achievement over the last five years. Significant achievements include two Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference championships and a run to the "Sweet 16" for Women's Tennis; a CACC Championship and the first NCAA Tournament victory for Men's Soccer; and, most recently, Baseball's first regular season CACC Championship, as well as its first and second NCAA Tournament victories.
Further information regarding the hire of a new Director of Athletics is forthcoming.
