St. John's University Athletics
QUOTES: Ed Kull Introductory Press Conference
Kull was named the eighth vice president and director of athletics at St. John's on Tuesday
St. John’s Vice President and Director of Athletics Ed Kull
Opening Statement…
“Thank you all, it’s truly nice to know you can’t always come home, but this is the third time for me here at St. John’s University. I am truly humbled, honored and privileged to be the eighth athletic director here at St. John’s University. It really is coming full circle. … I want to thank [Senior Vice President for Advancement] Chris Vaupel, [chair of the search committee]. I’m super excited to [work] with Chris and get in the trenches to fundraise and do what we have to do to help this wonderful institution.
“I want to thank [Interim Athletics Director] John Diffley. I have been interim a few times as well and it’s not easy at all. John, you are truly a man of passion and dedication.”
“I want to thank Joe Oliva. We have worked together in not always the easiest of challenges or situations, but Joe has been here quite a long time and has dealt with things, both personally and professionally. He understands the mission here, he is a man of faith and I’m excited to dive into the next stages with you.”
“I also want to thank [St. John’s President] Father Shanley. … It was easy to come back to St. John’s, and yes, I love the place. My life is here, my children were born while I was here. But I did my homework on this process and about Father Shanley. It wasn’t as much talking to St. John’s people as it was Bob Driscoll, Ed Cooley, the Gavitt family, the Tranghese family, a lot of those BIG EAST folks, as far as what Father Shanley represents, and that is the excitement I have for the future of St. John’s Athletics.”
“I have to thank my family for everything in me being here. As you can imagine, as with a lot of coaches and staff in this room, nights and weekends are gone, family events are missed, and my wife, Sarah, has always trusted me, letting me do what I needed to do, what I thought the priorities were in terms of these jobs. And my boys [Lucas and Benjamin] I know they are super excited to be here in Queens. They are excited to get to Madison Square Garden and catch some games, but it’s nice that my boys are able to live out this dream with me. It really is a family affair and I’m forever grateful.”
On being named St. John’s eighth vice president and director of athletics at St. John’s…
“I am truly humbled and truly excited for this opportunity. It really is coming full circle for me. A first-generation college graduate. … The Vincentian’s mission has been a major part of my life. Every aspect of what I have done has been faith-based, rewarding and fulfilling, and I’m really proud of that. I’m very excited to work for an institution that stands for that. In a world where we need leaders more than ever, I’m excited we are developing young people in a culture and environment preparing them for success in the real world. It is truly an honor to be the director of athletics. You will never question my work ethic. You will never question my effort. We may disagree, but I promise it will be decisions out of passion and love and in the best interest of this institution. Let’s go Johnnies.”
On coming back to St. John’s…
“I think there's always been this feeling of unfulfilled potential. The time is right. I couldn’t be more inspired and motivated to come back to my alma mater and help lead through the challenges and the future of what the NCAA is going to be. It’s all headed in the right direction with the leadership of Father Shanley. Now is the time and how do we make sure we are maximizing and bringing St. John’s back to its full potential.”
On the new basketball facility…
“I got to see the designs for the new basketball facility that’s being put in here for men’s and women’s hoops. It’s truly first-class, innovative and really a game changer for men’s and women’s basketball here. I think we all understand the challenges facing college athletics right now, a lot of unknowns but true opportunities. The leadership here at St. John’s understands what the future needs to be, and the commitment is there in terms of being all-in for athletics. I’m so excited to be a part of that.”
On Rick Pitino…
“Rick [Pitino] is one of the greatest coaches in basketball history. I think he’s got a passion and a fire burning inside of him to do this one more time and do it the right way. I think for St. John’s University, it’s the perfect opportunity for us to build alongside that in terms of not only having successful seasons for St. John’s Basketball, but for the future we are building, that is more sustainable for the program moving forward. I think it really is, no pun intended, a perfect storm of what it could be because of Rick’s desire and his focus. His energy level is intense, his competitive juices are as high as ever and I really think that’s the opportunity St. John’s is able to seize in this partnership together.”
Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P., President, St. John's University
Opening Statement…
“Let me begin by adding my thanks to Joe Oliva, who led this search. We had a very strong candidate pool, but when it was all said and done, it was pretty clear the best person for the job was Ed Kull, and we are delighted that Ed is here.”
On Ed Kull…
“This is not a beginner job. You really have to know what it’s like right now to be in that seat. Ed’s success at Fordham, particularly on the basketball side. I know Ed can do this job. We were also looking for someone who can navigate the complex relationships that are critical to athletics’ success. With donors, with corporate sponsors, we need help in order for us to be successful and I know Ed has those skills.”
Joseph Oliva, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
On Ed Kull …
“There is a lot to be excited about today at St. John’s. Our Queens native has returned home for some unfinished business at St. John’s. Ed and I worked together for nine years. I know Ed and Ed knows me. I know what St. John’s needs right now and Ed knows what St. John’s needs right now. His proven track record of entrepreneurship, revenue generation and leadership through college athletics are exactly what we set out to find in the beginning of this search process. I didn’t have to tell Ed how to get to the location of this press conference. I didn’t have to tell Ed where to park his car. Ed knows where the D’Angelo Center is, he can find his way to the softball field. I will not have to share contact information and phone numbers of key stakeholders with Ed. Ed knows them. Ed knows the landscape of college athletics; he has navigated it over the last several years. He can hit the ground running at full speed. He can do this with passion, purpose and urgency.”
Rick Pitino, St. John’s Men’s Basketball Head Coach
On Ed Kull…
“I did my own homework on Ed, called the Fordham soccer and basketball coaches, some people that work there and they were all over the top with [Ed Kull]. I talked to [Executive Vice President of Marquee Events and Operations at Madison Square Garden] Joel Fisher and he was over the top about him. Everyone I spoke with was over the top about him.”
Opening Statement…
“Thank you all, it’s truly nice to know you can’t always come home, but this is the third time for me here at St. John’s University. I am truly humbled, honored and privileged to be the eighth athletic director here at St. John’s University. It really is coming full circle. … I want to thank [Senior Vice President for Advancement] Chris Vaupel, [chair of the search committee]. I’m super excited to [work] with Chris and get in the trenches to fundraise and do what we have to do to help this wonderful institution.
“I want to thank [Interim Athletics Director] John Diffley. I have been interim a few times as well and it’s not easy at all. John, you are truly a man of passion and dedication.”
“I want to thank Joe Oliva. We have worked together in not always the easiest of challenges or situations, but Joe has been here quite a long time and has dealt with things, both personally and professionally. He understands the mission here, he is a man of faith and I’m excited to dive into the next stages with you.”
“I also want to thank [St. John’s President] Father Shanley. … It was easy to come back to St. John’s, and yes, I love the place. My life is here, my children were born while I was here. But I did my homework on this process and about Father Shanley. It wasn’t as much talking to St. John’s people as it was Bob Driscoll, Ed Cooley, the Gavitt family, the Tranghese family, a lot of those BIG EAST folks, as far as what Father Shanley represents, and that is the excitement I have for the future of St. John’s Athletics.”
“I have to thank my family for everything in me being here. As you can imagine, as with a lot of coaches and staff in this room, nights and weekends are gone, family events are missed, and my wife, Sarah, has always trusted me, letting me do what I needed to do, what I thought the priorities were in terms of these jobs. And my boys [Lucas and Benjamin] I know they are super excited to be here in Queens. They are excited to get to Madison Square Garden and catch some games, but it’s nice that my boys are able to live out this dream with me. It really is a family affair and I’m forever grateful.”
On being named St. John’s eighth vice president and director of athletics at St. John’s…
“I am truly humbled and truly excited for this opportunity. It really is coming full circle for me. A first-generation college graduate. … The Vincentian’s mission has been a major part of my life. Every aspect of what I have done has been faith-based, rewarding and fulfilling, and I’m really proud of that. I’m very excited to work for an institution that stands for that. In a world where we need leaders more than ever, I’m excited we are developing young people in a culture and environment preparing them for success in the real world. It is truly an honor to be the director of athletics. You will never question my work ethic. You will never question my effort. We may disagree, but I promise it will be decisions out of passion and love and in the best interest of this institution. Let’s go Johnnies.”
On coming back to St. John’s…
“I think there's always been this feeling of unfulfilled potential. The time is right. I couldn’t be more inspired and motivated to come back to my alma mater and help lead through the challenges and the future of what the NCAA is going to be. It’s all headed in the right direction with the leadership of Father Shanley. Now is the time and how do we make sure we are maximizing and bringing St. John’s back to its full potential.”
On the new basketball facility…
“I got to see the designs for the new basketball facility that’s being put in here for men’s and women’s hoops. It’s truly first-class, innovative and really a game changer for men’s and women’s basketball here. I think we all understand the challenges facing college athletics right now, a lot of unknowns but true opportunities. The leadership here at St. John’s understands what the future needs to be, and the commitment is there in terms of being all-in for athletics. I’m so excited to be a part of that.”
On Rick Pitino…
“Rick [Pitino] is one of the greatest coaches in basketball history. I think he’s got a passion and a fire burning inside of him to do this one more time and do it the right way. I think for St. John’s University, it’s the perfect opportunity for us to build alongside that in terms of not only having successful seasons for St. John’s Basketball, but for the future we are building, that is more sustainable for the program moving forward. I think it really is, no pun intended, a perfect storm of what it could be because of Rick’s desire and his focus. His energy level is intense, his competitive juices are as high as ever and I really think that’s the opportunity St. John’s is able to seize in this partnership together.”
Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P., President, St. John's University
Opening Statement…
“Let me begin by adding my thanks to Joe Oliva, who led this search. We had a very strong candidate pool, but when it was all said and done, it was pretty clear the best person for the job was Ed Kull, and we are delighted that Ed is here.”
On Ed Kull…
“This is not a beginner job. You really have to know what it’s like right now to be in that seat. Ed’s success at Fordham, particularly on the basketball side. I know Ed can do this job. We were also looking for someone who can navigate the complex relationships that are critical to athletics’ success. With donors, with corporate sponsors, we need help in order for us to be successful and I know Ed has those skills.”
Joseph Oliva, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
On Ed Kull …
“There is a lot to be excited about today at St. John’s. Our Queens native has returned home for some unfinished business at St. John’s. Ed and I worked together for nine years. I know Ed and Ed knows me. I know what St. John’s needs right now and Ed knows what St. John’s needs right now. His proven track record of entrepreneurship, revenue generation and leadership through college athletics are exactly what we set out to find in the beginning of this search process. I didn’t have to tell Ed how to get to the location of this press conference. I didn’t have to tell Ed where to park his car. Ed knows where the D’Angelo Center is, he can find his way to the softball field. I will not have to share contact information and phone numbers of key stakeholders with Ed. Ed knows them. Ed knows the landscape of college athletics; he has navigated it over the last several years. He can hit the ground running at full speed. He can do this with passion, purpose and urgency.”
Rick Pitino, St. John’s Men’s Basketball Head Coach
On Ed Kull…
“I did my own homework on Ed, called the Fordham soccer and basketball coaches, some people that work there and they were all over the top with [Ed Kull]. I talked to [Executive Vice President of Marquee Events and Operations at Madison Square Garden] Joel Fisher and he was over the top about him. Everyone I spoke with was over the top about him.”