Phil Racicot, Keene State’s director of athletics and recreation, is departing from his role later this month, the college announced Wednesday.
Racicot is heading back to familiar territory: Pittsburgh, Pa., where he previously worked at Duquesne University in athletics for over 20 years, according to a news release from Keene State. He accepted a new role of Assistant Athletic Director for Event Management at the University of Pittsburgh, a Division I athletics program.
“It was hard to pass up an opportunity to work again in college athletics at the highest level,” Racicot said in the Feb. 8 release. “It can be more volatile; you really don’t know the future, but at least I will be working in a familiar setting, in a professional sports city, surrounded by family and friends.”
Racicot’s last day with the Owls is Feb. 20. During his almost four years at Keene State, the Owls won numerous LEC championship titles in soccer, volleyball, cross country and women’s swimming and diving. He also led the program through the pandemic, which gave new challenges to athletics from canceled seasons and playing games in masks.
“Phil has led Keene State’s athletic programs through an unprecedented time, ensuring his student-athletes and staff successfully navigated athletics competition during COVID,” Treadwell said in the release. “I have also valued Phil as a colleague in our service to the Little East Conference, where he has chaired the Athletic Directors Executive Council. I wish him the best in his exciting new opportunity returning to Division 1 athletics with Pitt.”
Caitlin Howard can be contacted at
choward@kscequinox.com
Correction:
The Equinox published an incorrect statement in an article titled ‘Phil Racicot steps down as Athletic Director.’ It stated that Amy Watson, head field hockey coach and senior woman administrator at Keene State, would take on the role of Interim Athletic Director.
Assistant Athletic Director Abe Osheyack corrected this statement. Watson will not be taking on the role on an interim basis. Rather, an interim leadership structure will be announced soon. Additionally, the college’s senior administrative team for athletics is Watson, Osheyack, Deb Wood, head athletic trainer, and Ryan Cain, enrollment liaison and men’s basketball coach.
The Equinox apologizes for this error.
