When Travis Tellitocci takes a step back and really analyzes his career journey and only one word — crazy — pops into his head.
While the 2000 Bishop Donahue High School grad may have trouble wrapping his head around it, the reality of the situation is that he’s less than two months away from embarking on his latest journey in the world of college athletics.
As of May 15th, Tellitocci, 40, formally takes over the commissioner of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC).
Tellitocci was introduced as the new commissioner in early February, which capped a four-month process to land the position.
“A search firm reached out to me in September and gauged my interest in the position,” Tellitocci said. “That started the process and after several interviews and such, I ultimately landed the job.”
Tellitocci becomes just the fourth commissioner the MAAC has had in its history and he takes over the longest-tenured commissioner, Rich Ensor.
“Taking over for someone who has been there as long as (Ensor) was is great for me,” Tellitocci said. “There’s a solid foundation to build off of right off the bat. The conference is in good shape financially, so it becomes, for me, a chance to look at it as what I can do to help make it better?”
Ensor actually was in Nashville this weekend and had meetings with Tellitocci to begin the transition process. Next weekend, Tellitocci will be in Houston for the Final Four where he has meetings set up with ESPN brass about the MAAC’s future media rights deal.
“The transition actually started basically as soon as the (introductory) press conference ended,” Tellitocci said. “I’ve been doing double duty, actually. I want to be able to hit the ground running.”
Tellitocci, who is a graduate of Marist College, has been working with the Ohio Valley Conference as an assistant commissioner for football, basketball and officiating for the last six years.
He just recently concluded one of his biggest duties for the OVC and that’s overseeing the men’s and women’s basketball championship tournaments.
“When I came to the OVC, working at the conference level was new to me,” Tellitocci said. “It was different not being part of the campus community and then trying to get (the entire membership) on the same page. When you’re working with 11 schools, like I’ll be doing in the MAAC, it can be a challenge because each school has its own opinions and ideas, but I will be immersed in it. I know there are pros and cons to every job, but I am truly excited to be able to lead.”
Leading and professional growth have always been motivating factors for Tellitocci. It was actually what drew him back to Marist after a stint working for the New York Mets.
“When I actually left the Mets people asked me, ‘why are you leaving a professional baseball team in the middle of a good season?” Tellitocci recalled. “I saw an opportunity (at Marist) to get into marketing and the external relations side. Pro sports are great, but there are times when you’re kind of (limited) in a sense into one position without the chance for much growth.”
When Tellitocci returned to Marist, it was all about the opportunity more than it was about returning to his alma mater. The chance to be involved with 23 different sports on an administrative level was far too appealing.
“I was able to work with the internal and external side of sports on the campus side,” Tellitocci said. “I really never set out to work in a conference office.”
However, it came back to the growth aspect. Tellitocci, who was a basketball player and golfer during his days with the Bishops, knew that the Marist Director of Athletics was entrenched, so he had ascended as much as he could with the Red Foxes.
“An opportunity with the OVC opened in Nashville and it’s a wonderful city and place to live, so I took the opportunity and it’s just funny how life works out,” Tellitocci said.
Ironically, the person who pushed Tellitocci to explore the job with the OVC was the aforementioned Ensor.
“It’s just amazing how things have worked out,” Tellitocci said. “I am truly grateful for all of the places I’ve worked and people I’ve met along the way.”
The MAAC, which Marist is a member of, is based in Edison, NJ and is made up of institutions primarily in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. Included are schools such as Niagara, Fairfield, St. Peters, Mount St. Mary’s and Quinnipiac to name a few.
“Priority number one is to increase the attractiveness of the MAAC,” Tellitocci said. “My biggest charge with the conference will be continuing to raise the level of the conference in branding, marketing and visibility. Obviously, college sports are a changing landscape, so putting the conference in the best position to meet those challenges is really important.”
Regardless of where he’s been or where he’s going, Tellitocci not only has his vast resume from which to draw, but he also pointed out that he leans on his Ohio Valley roots, too.
“Everything of who I am traces back to the Ohio Valley, and I take a lot of pride in that,” Tellitocci said. “I take a lot of pride of being from the Ohio Valley and specifically, Benwood. That blue-collar mentality and work ethic that’s instilled in people at a young age has certainly benefitted me because I think if you ask anyone what my best characteristic is, they’d say my work ethic.”
Several members of Tellitocci’s family still reside in the Ohio Valley.
“Though I wish I could get back more, I get back probably twice a year,” Tellitocci said. “It’s truly an unbelievable place to grow up and I am fortunate to have had the experiences I’ve had to help guide me on my way.”
KENNEDY FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS
The West Virginia Sports Writers Association has chosen Wheeling Park’s Brett Phillips and Martinsburg’s Ezra Bagent as the Class of 2023 recipients of the Kennedy Foundation Scholarship, which is given by WesBanco.
Phillps will continue his football career at Frostburg State, while Bagent will play at Shepherd, following his brother Tyson, who had a brilliant career with the Rams and took part in the NFL Combine.
The honorees will be recognized at the 76th annual Victory Awards Dinner on May 7 at the Embassy Suites in Charleston.
SETH’S SCOOPS
WHEELING NATIVE Tony Chiazza was one of 30 officials selected to work in the NCAA Men’s Regional Tournament this weekend. Chiazza worked the opening two rounds in Orlando last week.
BRIDGEPORT grad Chad Roskovich, who is an assistant wrestling at Olentangy Liberty High School in suburban Columbus, has been named a coach on the Team Ohio staff for the annual Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic, which will be held this weekend.
BARNESVILLE GRAD Anna Yater was named the Atlantic 10 co-newcomer of the week for women’s track after a strong showing in her first outdoor meet in the hammer throw. Yater was a multiple-time All-Ohioan in the shot put.
SHENANDOAH IS in the market for a new boys basketball coach. Marc Smith stepped down after seven seasons at the Zeps’ helm.
WELLSVILLE IS also looking for a new boys basketball coach. David “Bug” Thompson stepped down last week.
THE OHIO Basketball Hall of Fame announced its Class of 2023. The 18-member Class of 2023 will be inducted in June in Columbus. Cambridge grad and OVAC Hall of Famer Geno Ford was among the selections. He’s currently the head basketball coach at Stony Brook University.
ANI | Updated: Feb 29, 2024 22:16 IST New De
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