| Dr. Robert J. Dranoff | ||
| Title | Commissioner | |
| rdranoff@eccsports.org | ||
| Phone | 631 348-3451 | |
Dr. Robert J. Dranoff, Director of Athletics and Assistant Dean of Student Services at Suffolk (N.Y.) County Community College and former Director of Athletics at Dowling College and the State University of New York at Old Westbury, was named the fifth Commissioner of the East Coast Conference (ECC) April 30, 2008 and commenced duties June 15, 2008. Dranoff's appointment was announced by Dr. Drew Bogner, President of Molloy College and Chair of the ECC President's Council.
"I am extremely pleased to welcome Bob Dranoff to the ECC as Commissioner," said Bogner. "Bob brings a wealth of experience and intimate knowledge of our region to the job. As we continue to move forward in our goal of creating a model NCAA Division II conference, I am confident he will continue our mission of positioning the ECC as a leader in Division II not only athletically but academically."
"I also thank the members of the ECC Athletic Directors Executive Committee and the Presidents' Executive Committee for their exemplary work during the search process," Bogner added.
Dranoff begins his duties as commissioner June 15.
Dranoff has spent the past four years overseeing the Suffolk County Community College athletic program which encompasses the intercollegiate and recreation programs as well as facilities. His tenure has been marked by an overall enhancement of the entire athletic program as well building strong connections to the campus community and assisting with facility upgrades including renovations to the Brookhaven Gymnasium and outdoor facilities. Along with his role as Assistant Dean of Student Services he also served as an adjunct professor.
"I am very much looking forward to the opportunity and challenge of serving as Commissioner of the East Coast Conference and I thank the President's Council and Directors of Athletics for providing me the opportunity," said Dranoff. "I am particularly excited because I have been very impressed by the Presidents' commitment to making the ECC a model conference."
While serving Suffolk, Dranoff has also served as the Men's Regional Director of the National Junior College Athletic Association Region XV, and 18-institution regional athletic conference.
Dranoff served as Director of Athletics at ECC member Dowling from 1992 through 2004 and at SUNY Old Westbury from 1988 through 1992.
Further, Dranoff's appointment is a return home of sorts, beyond his tenure at Dowling. Dranoff also served as President and Past President/Ex Officio Chair with the conference when it was known as the New York Collegiate Athletic Conference.
"The opportunity to return to a conference with which I am very familiar makes this a great fit," noted Dranoff. "Being part of the ECC is not only about providing championship opportunities, it's also about creating and building community service and helping the student-athletes truly enjoy their collegiate experience."
A 1978 graduate of St. John's University with a degree in Athletic Administration, Dranoff earned a Master of Science Degree concentrating in counselor education from St. John's in 1984 and his Doctorate in Education concentrating on Educational Administration from Dowling in 2006. He resides in Sayville, N.Y.
| Kenneth S. Belbin | ||
| Title | Associate Commissioner for Media Relations | |
| kbelbin@eccsports.org | ||
| Phone | (C) 516-673-8880 | |
Ken Belbin was named Associate Commissioner for Media Relations on September 10, 2007 after serving as the Assistant Director of Athletics for Media Relations & Development at Daniel Webster College in Nashua, N.H.
A 13-year veteran in the field of sports information and athletic administration, Belbin served for two years as sports information contact with Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, N.H. and spent four and a half years as Assistant Commissioner and Director of Media Relations at the Northeast-10 Conference. Prior to his appointment at the NE-10, Belbin served for five years as Director of Sports Information at Saint Anselm College.
Belbin also spent two years as a contributing sports writer with the Associated Press office of Concord, N.H.
Originally from Warwick, R.I., Belbin is a 1995 graduate of Saint Anselm.
| Laura Clayton | ||
| Title | Associate Commissioner / SWA | |
| lclayton@eccsports.org | ||
| Phone | (631) 348-3452 | |
Laura Clayton was named Associate Commissioner for Operations on February 12, 2007 after serving as the Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance/Senior Woman Administrator at Palm Beach Atlantic University.
Along with her time at Palm Beach Atlantic, Laura served as Assistant Athletic Director/Senior Woman Administrator/Athletic Compliance Coordinator at the University of Central Arkansas from August 2002-July 2006. Clayton also served in intercollegiate athletics administration at the University of Arkansas Monticello, where she was the NCAA Compliance Officer from January 1994-June 1996.
Clayton received her Bachelor of Science Degree (cum laude) from Louisiana Tech University. In 2001, Laura received both a Master of Business Administration and Juris Doctorate (Law) from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
Clayton's duties at the East Coast Conference include coordinating and executing all league operations, championships, budgets, NCAA compliance issues, scheduling, the NLI program and senior administrator issues. She also oversees the conference SAAC initiatives and serves as liaison for all ECC committees.
Laura is a member of the American Bar Association, along with the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletics Administrators.
