RPI athletic director Lee McElroy, who shepherded the University at Albany into Division I before leading the Engineers program, is retiring.
New RPI president Martin Schmidt announced Thursday on his web page McElroy will retire effective June 30.
“Let us all thank Lee for his leadership in creating a robust, successful, team-oriented Department of Athletics,” Schmidt wrote. “We extend to Lee and his family best wishes in retirement.”
Efforts to reach McElroy were unsuccessful.
UAlbany hired McElroy as athletic director in July 2000 as the school was entering its second season as a Division I program. He spent 14 years with the Great Danes. During his tenure, UAlbany joined the America East Conference and won 74 league titles and made 31 NCAA postseason appearances.
UAlbany also built Casey Stadium, its football and men’s lacrosse home, and became a football-only member of the Colonial Athletic Association.
“He was outstanding,” said Great Danes men’s lacrosse coach Scott Marr, hired a month after McElroy in 2000. “I loved working for him. I pretty much owe my existence in Division I as a head coach to him. Just a wonderful person. Him and (his wife) Karen both are just loving and really nurtured me the beginning of my career. Just a great guy.”
McElroy announced his retirement from UAlbany in 2014. But RPI hired him the following year to guide its program that is Division III in all sports except for the Division I men’s and women’s hockey teams. RPI football went to the NCAA quarterfinals in 2018 and 2021.
McElroy hired current head men’s hockey coach Dave Smith, who is entering his sixth season.
“First and foremost, I think, his experience in higher ed and athletics and where he’s been in his life provided him the skills,” Smith said. “He is a terrific mentor….
Read the full article here