Photo by: Meg Kelly
Panarese Named Senior Associate Athletic Director; Cardella, Dwyer Promoted
July 27, 2021 | General
BOSTON – The Boston University Department of Athletics has hired Justin Panarese as a senior associate athletic director, Director of Athletics Drew Marrochello announced on Tuesday.
Panarese arrives on Comm. Ave. after spending the past decade at Cal Athletics, where he most recently served as an assistant athletic director for revenue initiatives for the past seven seasons. In his role at BU, Panarese will oversee all external operations.
In addition, Jill Cardella has been promoted to assistant athletic director for capital planning & facilities operations and Luke Dwyer has been elevated to assistant athletic director for business & financial operations.
"We are excited to welcome Justin back home to Massachusetts and for him to join our Terrier Athletics family," said director of athletics Drew Marrochello. "Justin's dedication to providing a first-class experience to our student-athletes along with his vision and expertise for external operations confirmed he will be a great addition to BU."
During his time at Cal, Panarese led its premium seating team, generating revenues of over $80 million over an eight-year period. He was the sport administrator for the Golden Bears' men's and women's track & field and cross country programs. Panarese was instrumental in Cal's return to play this past season, creating the department's strategic plans to bring back its teams from the COVID-19 pandemic. He also served on the department's Equity, Inclusion and Diversity Committee.
"As someone who grew up locally with frequent exposure to the depth and reach of Terrier Pride, it is an honor to have the chance to head home and help serve Boston University in this role," said Panarese. "There are so many great stories of the positive global impact of this institution, and I'm excited to have the chance to get to work and join the team in supporting our student-athletes to develop holistically as leaders in this vibrant environment.
"I'd like to thank Drew Marrochello for this opportunity and everyone from the BU family that I met during my campus visit, as their passion for supporting the student-athlete experience was apparent throughout," added Panarese. "I'd also like to thank Jim Knowlton, and the numerous past and present colleagues, student-athletes and donors I've had the good fortune to work with during my last 11 years with Cal Athletics. I would not be in this position without your support and guidance throughout the years."
Prior to his stint at Cal, Panarese spent two years outside of sports, working at both US Airways and Healthways in Arizona. He also enjoyed stops with Sports Loyalty Systems, where he worked with the Arizona Diamondbacks, as well as the Lowell Spinners.
Panarese was a four-year member on the cross country and track & field teams at the University of Rochester, serving as a cross country captain as a senior. He got his start in college athletics by working as a student assistant for the Yellowjackets' sports information department.
A native of Newton, Massachusetts, Panarese graduated from the University of Rochester in 2003 with a bachelor's degree in economics and political science; he later earned his master's degree in intercollegiate athletic leadership from the University of Washington in 2011.
Cardella, a four-year standout on the BU women's ice hockey team, graduated in May 2013 with a bachelor's degree in advertising from the College of Communication and a master's degree in administrative studies in 2015. She joined the Department of Athletics in 2013 as an administrative assistant for facilities before being elevated to assistant facilities manager and later assistant director of athletic facilities and event operations.
Dwyer joined BU as an assistant business manager in 2011. He was promoted to director of financial and business operations in 201 after serving as business manager since December 2016. Dwyer is a 2002 graduate of Colgate, where he earned a bachelor's degree in geology. He went on to receive his MBA from Boston University in 2015, focusing on leadership and organizational transformation.
"Both Jill and Luke have proven to be valuable members of our department," said Marrochello. "They have developed into great leaders in their respective areas and are both deserving of these promotions."
Panarese arrives on Comm. Ave. after spending the past decade at Cal Athletics, where he most recently served as an assistant athletic director for revenue initiatives for the past seven seasons. In his role at BU, Panarese will oversee all external operations.
In addition, Jill Cardella has been promoted to assistant athletic director for capital planning & facilities operations and Luke Dwyer has been elevated to assistant athletic director for business & financial operations.
"We are excited to welcome Justin back home to Massachusetts and for him to join our Terrier Athletics family," said director of athletics Drew Marrochello. "Justin's dedication to providing a first-class experience to our student-athletes along with his vision and expertise for external operations confirmed he will be a great addition to BU."
During his time at Cal, Panarese led its premium seating team, generating revenues of over $80 million over an eight-year period. He was the sport administrator for the Golden Bears' men's and women's track & field and cross country programs. Panarese was instrumental in Cal's return to play this past season, creating the department's strategic plans to bring back its teams from the COVID-19 pandemic. He also served on the department's Equity, Inclusion and Diversity Committee.
"As someone who grew up locally with frequent exposure to the depth and reach of Terrier Pride, it is an honor to have the chance to head home and help serve Boston University in this role," said Panarese. "There are so many great stories of the positive global impact of this institution, and I'm excited to have the chance to get to work and join the team in supporting our student-athletes to develop holistically as leaders in this vibrant environment.
"I'd like to thank Drew Marrochello for this opportunity and everyone from the BU family that I met during my campus visit, as their passion for supporting the student-athlete experience was apparent throughout," added Panarese. "I'd also like to thank Jim Knowlton, and the numerous past and present colleagues, student-athletes and donors I've had the good fortune to work with during my last 11 years with Cal Athletics. I would not be in this position without your support and guidance throughout the years."
Prior to his stint at Cal, Panarese spent two years outside of sports, working at both US Airways and Healthways in Arizona. He also enjoyed stops with Sports Loyalty Systems, where he worked with the Arizona Diamondbacks, as well as the Lowell Spinners.
Panarese was a four-year member on the cross country and track & field teams at the University of Rochester, serving as a cross country captain as a senior. He got his start in college athletics by working as a student assistant for the Yellowjackets' sports information department.
A native of Newton, Massachusetts, Panarese graduated from the University of Rochester in 2003 with a bachelor's degree in economics and political science; he later earned his master's degree in intercollegiate athletic leadership from the University of Washington in 2011.
Cardella, a four-year standout on the BU women's ice hockey team, graduated in May 2013 with a bachelor's degree in advertising from the College of Communication and a master's degree in administrative studies in 2015. She joined the Department of Athletics in 2013 as an administrative assistant for facilities before being elevated to assistant facilities manager and later assistant director of athletic facilities and event operations.
Dwyer joined BU as an assistant business manager in 2011. He was promoted to director of financial and business operations in 201 after serving as business manager since December 2016. Dwyer is a 2002 graduate of Colgate, where he earned a bachelor's degree in geology. He went on to receive his MBA from Boston University in 2015, focusing on leadership and organizational transformation.
"Both Jill and Luke have proven to be valuable members of our department," said Marrochello. "They have developed into great leaders in their respective areas and are both deserving of these promotions."
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