Get to Know: Tony Aquilina
The talented administrators, coaches and staff working at our member institutions help to make the Empire 8 Conference successful. And the Get to Know Feature is a way for fans to get a better idea of who these individuals are.
Tony Aquilina is the Assistant Athletic Director for Internal Operations at Alfred University.
Where did you attend college? What was your major? Where you a student-athlete?
I attended SUNY Cortland for my undergrad. I majored in sport management. I played rugby there for all four years. I went on to get my masters at Ithaca College also in sport management for a full calendar year there as well.
What made you chose to attend the institution as an undergrad and/or graduate student?
I knew I wanted sport management and I knew that I wanted to be involved, somehow in athletics. I didn’t know at the time that collegiate athletics is where I would have wound up but I knew the sport management program at Cortland was really good with a lot of opportunities particularly with the New York Jets and their summer training camp there and that was a big reason why I chose to attend Cortland.
How long have you been working at Alfred University?
I’ve been here at Alfred University for four years. I was fortunate enough to have earned this position right after Ithaca.
What interested you and brought you Alfred University?
The cool thing about Alfred, with the obvious easy transition to another school within the Empire 8, is being in the same region and being close to home, it is a unique area and the conference is competitive.
What is the best thing about the Campus?
It is a unique place with the surroundings obviously with the scenic views and landscapes as well as a unique population with the students. I think it is a diverse population due to the majors that we offer. You just get a wide realm of diverse students that want to attend.
Who has been the most influential person during your career? Why?
I would say that Paul [Vecchio], our athletic director here has been the most influential person for me, particularly in these past four years. He’s allowed me the opportunity to grow, he’s really given me that chance without micromanaging me and trusts me with a lot of different things.
What are some of your duties?
Ultimately, I’m responsible for all of the operations that occur internally in the department such as managing and scheduling all of the facilities, handling all of the equipment, managing our fitness center and all gameday operations the come around as well as a lot of interaction with coaches and student particularly. I have over 100 student workers so managing their schedules, payroll and those kinds of things take up a good amount of my time as well as the interactions with them that are also important.
What do you do in your spare time?
I like to golf and I’m also a pretty heavy lifter. I like to exercise.
Top 3 things on your bucket list?
I want to own lakefront property. Visiting all major NFL stadiums. And that’s about it.
What is something most people don’t know about you?
I’m an avid reality television fan.
Rapid Fire questions
Favorite food: Chicken wings
Favorite band/musician: Knockout Express
Favorite TV show: South Park
Favorite Movie: The Jungle Book
Favorite place to visit: Home
Can’t live without: Bentley, my mini-Husky
Pet Peeve: When people don’t treat everyone with the same respect in the workplace and out whether you’re a student-worker, administrator or what have you.