BROOKVILLE, N.Y. — After leading LIU Athletics to unprecedented success within the Northeast Conference and Division I, director of athletics Dr. William E. Martinov Jr. is being promoted to chief of alumni engagement and athletics advancement at Long Island University.

Deputy AD Ryan Kelly will ascend to the role of director of athletics.

Martinov will lead both the university's alumni office and all athletics external relations and revenue generation, including corporate sponsorships, major gifts and annual contributions.

"We have an exceptional group of athletic coaches, administrators and student-athletes, who are committed to excellence both in the classroom and on the field of play, as well as loyal alumni who are committed to supporting LIU's continued success as a national teaching and research institution," Martinov said. "I'm honored to take on this great opportunity to help advance both our student-athlete experience and the support of our outstanding alumni." 

A combination of on-field success and academic achievement marked Martinov's four years at the helm of LIU Athletics.

The Sharks won back-to-back Commissioner's Cups as the top-performing athletic program in the Northeast Conference — an LIU first — and always finished in the top two during Martinov's tenure.

Academically, the department won its first-ever NEC Institutional Academic Award in 2020. The Sharks' student-athletes annually have finished in the top three in GPA in the conference under Martinov.  Additionally, teams and individual student-athletes have accounted for hundreds of conference scholar student-athletes and team awards.

Twelve conference championships, with ensuing NCAA Tournament berths, were achieved during Martinov's tenure. Six league titles have been achieved this calendar year alone — men's golf, women's ice hockey, softball, women's tennis, men's volleyball and women's water polo — while equestrian had a top-four finish at nationals. LIU also produced an NCAA fencing national champion, while the Sharks cheerleading and dance programs combined for a national title earlier this year.

Kelly joined LIU in 2021 and has spearheaded multiple significant infrastructure upgrades, including the introduction of a state-of-the-art sports medicine facility, varsity weight room, locker rooms and meeting spaces.

He has worked with the university's advancement team to lead and organize various fundraising campaigns, including the annual LIU Athletics Golf Outing. His fundraising efforts have resulted in many of the facility upgrades that currently benefit LIU student-athletes.

Kelly also has overseen the revamping of LIU's athletic event ticketing system and led multiple national coaching searches.

Kelly arrived at LIU after serving as director of football operations for the American Athletic Conference from 2018 to 2021. He has previously held positions at Baylor, Temple and Coastal Carolina.

"I am elated to be the next leader of the athletic department at LIU," Kelly said. "It is an honor to be able to serve our outstanding coaches, staff and student-athletes. I look forward to continuing the progress we have made during our time together."