Colby-Sawyer's Bill Foti & George Martin Named GNAC Executives of the Year

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Courtesy of CSC Athletics Communications

NEW LONDON, N.H. – Following a vote amongst the Great Northeast Athletic Conference's (GNAC) Athletic Directors' Council, Colby-Sawyer College Director of Athletics Bill Foti and former Director of Athletics George Martin have been selected as the 2020 GNAC Executive(s) of the Year, as announced on Tuesday by longtime GNAC Commissioner Joe Walsh.

Martin (pictured, center left), who was recently named the Director of Athletics at next year's incoming GNAC member Dean College, and Foti have guided the Colby-Sawyer Athletic Department and its 23 Division III varsity programs for the past seven years. In addition to their administrative duties, Foti and Martin have a combined 54 years of basketball coaching experience at Colby-Sawyer and have amassed nearly 1,000 combined victories.

Foti (pictured, center right) is currently the GNAC sport chair for outdoor track & field. The Chargers were slated to host the GNAC one-day outdoor championship this spring before it was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Colby-Sawyer will keep hosting duties in 2021.

"I want to thank my fellow GNAC athletic directors for this recognition," said Foti. "This award is a reflection of the unique partnership George and I shared as well as the hard work and dedication of tremendous coaches, staff and student-athletes at Colby-Sawyer."

Martin has served in the role of GNAC men's volleyball sport chair and will continue to do so in his new role at Dean.

"I would like to thank the GNAC Directors of Athletics for honoring me and Bill with this award," said Martin. "Though this singles out the two of us, it is a true reflection of the great work of our student-athletes, coaches, athletic department staff, and Colby-Sawyer College. It is a wonderful way to cap off my 26 years at Colby-Sawyer."

Under the direction of the duo, Colby-Sawyer made the transition from the North Atlantic Conference (NAC) to the GNAC, the Colby-Sawyer student-athlete population increased from 24% to approximately 40% of the entire student body, and four varsity sports were introduced (men's volleyball, women's rugby, men's and women's indoor track & field). Additionally, the role and responsibilities of the Senior Woman Administrator (SWA) were expanded. Foti and Martin also were instrumental in facility enhancements with the addition of the Morris Trail and the athlete-only weight room.

In the Chargers' first year with the GNAC in 2018-19, the Colby-Sawyer women finished fourth out of 13 schools in the Commissioner's Cup standings, while the men were fifth of 12. The Chargers won conference titles in women's tennis, men's cross country and men's outdoor track & field. Before the 2019-20 season was cut short, Colby-Sawyer had hoisted trophies in both men's and women's cross country.

In the two seasons with the GNAC, 135 student-athletes have been honored with all-academic honors.

For the latest on Colby-Sawyer Athletics, follow the Chargers on Facebook (www.facebook.com/CSCathletics), Twitter (www.twitter.com/CSCathletics) and Instagram (www.instagram.com/CSCathletics).