Elliot Charles: He’s the boss at LIU

He’s the boss. The Head Honcho. The buck stops with him.

Elliot Charles was promoted to Director of Athletics at Long Island University last week. The 40-year-old Long Island native will oversee LIU’s 38 Division I sports teams – including several 2023-24 Northeast Conference championship teams such as men’s baseball and soccer, and women’s lacrosse, tennis, and volleyball.

“LIU was about a unique opportunity for me to look at the next chapter of my life,” Charles told the Brooklyn Eagle the other afternoon.

Charles previously served as LIU’s Deputy Director of Athletics.

But the real question – is he really THE BOSS — 24-7?

Certainly, he will make all the necessary decisions athletically for the Sharks – scheduling – hiring and firing coaches – adding sports teams.

But when all is said and done – who will have the final word?
Perhaps his wife.

Mrs. Charles – make that Stormie Charles – is the head coach for both the men’s and women’s cross-country teams for the Sharks – and she has had quite the successful run as assistant coach at Florida A&M University.

So, what if Stormie wants her runners to participate in a meet somewhere in California —and the new Athletic Director – Mr. Charles says, “no, no.”

But we will save that for another day.

For now, Mr. Charles will be trying to solidify a once-proud basketball program that won just seven times in 29 tries –and was 6-10 in the NEC, last season.

“We have a way to go,” Charles admitted, “But the future looks bright with some outstanding prospects entering for next season.”

Next season will be head coach Rod Strickland’s third, yet Charles has much confidence in the former NBA star. “In fact,” Charles admitted, “I was brought into LIU to work strictly with Coach Strickland.”

Charles said he will be trying to develop relationships with fans as well as business…