Bob Brynes Position: Director of Athletics Institution: Manhattan College

A 1968 Manhattan College graduate, Bob Byrnes is now in his 21th year as the College's director of athletics.

Since he arrived back in Riverdale in May of 1988, Byrnes has presided over a renaissance period in Manhattan athletics. The men's and women's basketball programs have earned eight NCAA Tournament bids during his tenure. In addition to eight NCAA appearances (four women, four men), the Jaspers have made five postseason and four preseason NIT appearances. Women's soccer and men's and women's lacrosse began competition at the Division I level under Byrnes, and 14 different teams have won conference championships. In addition, to date, 24 Manhattan student-athletes have received All-America honors for both their athletic and academic achievements.

Before returning to Manhattan, Byrnes spent 13 years with the Morrison-Knudsen Company, one of the largest engineering and construction firms in the nation. A native of Garrison, New York, Byrnes earned his undergraduate degree in physical education with a minor in biology. He also holds an master's degree in business administration from City University in Seattle, Washington.

Byrnes' Manhattan athletics career included service to the Jaspers' club football squad, where he served as a captain and performed as both a defensive tackle and offensive end. He was an assistant coach in 1969 and helped lead the Jaspers to a 6-2 season. Upon graduation, Byrnes began a teaching and coaching career at Queen of Peace High School in North Arlington, New Jersey. He also served as the school's director of athletics from 1970 to 1973. Under his coaching leadership, Queen of Peace registered state tournament appearances in baseball and basketball, and captured the Parochial "B" State Championship in football (1972).

In addition to his responsibilities at Manhattan, Byrnes also served as president of the Metropolitan Intercollegiate Basketball Association, the committee that makes the selections for the annual National Invitation Tournament (NIT) from 1997-1999. Currently, he is the chair of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) men's basketball committee and the committee on athletic administration. He is also a member of the ECAC Officials Negotiating Committee and the 1999-00 NCAA Championship Cabinet. . In recognition of his years of outstanding contributions to Jasper athletics, Byrnes was inducted into the Manhattan College Athletic Hall of Fame in 2004.