NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The College of New Rochelle athletics director Harold Crocker has announced that Michael Antonaccio has been hired as the institution’s first full-time Director of Sports Information and Communications. Antonaccio, an 11-plus year veteran in college athletics administration, will publicize CNR’s six-sport, NCAA Division III athletics program, including serving as the editor-in-chief and webmaster of the department’s newly redesigned web site, CNRAthletics.com and in a support role within the Division of Student Services.
Antonaccio has extensive experience coordinating media relations and new media initiatives in the metropolitan area, including serving as Manager of New Media with the New York Red Bulls and Director of Sports Information at Manhattan College.
During his tenure with Major League Soccer’s Red Bulls, Antonaccio was responsible for all new media initiatives for a founding franchise of Major League Soccer. He helped launch all of the franchise’s social media platforms and led all social and new media efforts surrounding the announcement of international superstar Thierry Henry. Search result: “Thierry Henry” became the top trending topic on July 15, 2010 in New York City, Ireland, United Kingdom, and globally. Antonaccio coordinated the redesign of the club’s official website and produced the highest page view numbers in the league. He was also responsible for the initiation and production of numerous live streamed events, including a highly praised pregame web show for the international exhibition match with CD Chivas de Guadalajara, the most successful club in Mexican soccer. Antonaccio was directly responsible for multimedia publicity surrounding the franchise’s 2008 MLS Western Conference Championship and MLS Cup Final appearance, and 2010 MLS Eastern Conference Regular Season title.
While at NCAA Division I member Manhattan College, he was responsible for publicity for a national caliber NCAA Division I varsity athletics program with 19 sports including several teams performing on the national stage. Antonaccio facilitated all media relations for: the Men’s Basketball 2004 MAAC Regular Season and Tournament Championships and the team’s advancement to the second round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament; the 2006 Men’s Basketball MAAC Regular Season Championship and the team’s advancement to the second round of the NIT; the 2006 Baseball MAAC Tournament Championship and the team’s advancement to the NCAA Regional Final. He served as Host Media Coordinator for the 2005 NCAA Men’s and Women’s Outdoor Track and Field Division I East Region Championship, the 2004 NCAA Men’s and Women’s Division I Northeast Region Cross Country Championship, as well as several conference championships. Antonaccio also served as Coordinating Producer for Manhattan College Basketball Weekly television show, producing 20 episodes which aired over two seasons on SportsNet New York (SNY).