Fairfield Athletics Signs John Cirillo, Cirillo World As Public Relations And Marketing Consultant

FAIRFIELD, Conn. - June 27, 2013 - PRLog -- Fairfield University Athletics is pleased to announce that it has signed a multi-year agreement with prominent New York public relations executive John Cirillo, President of Cirillo World, to serve as public relations, marketing and special athletics events consultant for the Stags. The announcement was made today by Fairfield Athletic Director Eugene P. Doris.

Cirillo is the former award-winning New York Knicks and Madison Square Garden Vice President (1984-97), who founded New York City-based Cirillo World in 1997.

"We are delighted that we have been able to enlist one of the top sports publicists in the country as a member of the Fairfield Athletics team," said Fairfield President Rev. Jeffrey P. von Arx, S.J. "John's expertise and relationships in the media will be invaluable as we continue the mission to raise Fairfield Athletics to the highest level, and broaden our awareness."

“We are thrilled at the opportunity to work with one of the most respected public relations specialists in sports,” said Doris. “John and his staff bring savvy, creative marketing, and strong relationships in the New York and national media to Fairfield, which will go a long way in enhancing Stags athletics.”

Significant clients in collegiate athletics also include the Atlantic 10 Conference, and the A-10 Conference Championship at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center.

During a 30-year career in the public relations industry, Cirillo has worked with many notables including Patrick Ewing, Pat Riley, Mark Jackson, Jeff Van Gundy, Dave DeBusschere, Walt Frazier, Willis Reed, Red Holzman and Earl Monroe during his 13 seasons with the Knicks, and since launching Cirillo World such top names as Bob Costas, Gary Carter, Oscar De La Hoya, Wladimir Klitschko, Vin Scully, Willie Randolph, Ron Swoboda and Tim Rooney.

“It’s a privilege to work with such an outstanding Jesuit institution as Fairfield,” said Cirillo. “Its great success on the fields of play and commitment to its student-athletes in the classroom is a tremendous combination for success. We are looking forward to the relationship.”

Cirillo World had previously served as Fordham University Athletics media consultant since 1997. The company is retained by Fordham’s powerful public radio station, WFUV Radio, for the Vin Scully Lifetime Achievement Award in Sports Broadcasting since its inception in 2006.  In addition, Cirillo launched the career of WFUV alumnus Spero Dedes, currently the Radio Voice of the New York Knicks, serving as his agent for the first seven years of his career.

About Cirillo World: During its 16-years Cirillo World has been associated with many of sports most prominent names, including Emmy Award-winning sportscaster Bob Costas; the late Mets Hall of Fame catcher Gary Carter; a bevy of world champion boxers including Oscar De La Hoya, Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko, Floyd Mayweather and Andre Berto, and promoters Bob Arum, Lou DiBella and Dino Duva; the Thurman Munson Awards Dinner to benefit AHRC New York City Foundation; Steiner Sports Memorabilia auctions featuring the Perfect Game uniform of the legendary Don Larsen and the rare World Series glove of the iconic Jackie Robinson;  the historic New York City restaurants the Grand Central Oyster Bar and Gallagher’s Steak House; Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway and the prominent Rooney Family; and sports broadcasters Bob Papa and Teddy Atlas.

About Fairfield Athletics: Fairfield University is a co-educational Jesuit institution that is located on the Connecticut shoreline in Fairfield County. More than 400 student-athletes participate in 20 Division I varsity sports with 18 teams competing in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC). Men’s lacrosse will play its final season in the ECAC Lacrosse League in 2014 before becoming an associate member of the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) for 2015. The field hockey team is an associate member of America East.
The Stags have enjoyed success regionally and nationally with the men’s lacrosse team and the field hockey team earning a national ranking in 2012-13. The men’s basketball team advanced to postseason play in each of the last four seasons, including a trip to the 2011 NIT. The women’s basketball team has also enjoyed success in the postseason with three bids in the last four years. Fairfield University athletics has captured four MAAC Commissioner’s Cups as the best MAAC program for that year with its most recent Cup coming following the 2011-12 campaign.

More than two-thirds of all Fairfield University student-athletes earned a 3.0 GPA or higher in 2012-13, including more than 100 conference All-Academic honors. The NCAA recognized five teams for their academic achievement as part of their Public Recognition Awards program – men’s and women’s cross country, women’s golf, men’s swimming, and volleyball.

The men’s basketball team plays its home games at Webster Bank Arena, a 9,500-seat state-of-the-art facility. The Stags have hosted games against Boston College, Georgetown University, Providence College, St. John’s University, and Saint Joseph’s University. Fairfield University has also hosted NCAA tournament play, including the 2004, 2008, and 2012 Women’s Basketball Championship first and second rounds as well as the 2006 and 2013 Women’s Basketball Regional semifinal and final. Fairfield University and Yale University have co-hosted the 2009, 2011, and 2012 NCAA Men’s Ice Hockey Regional tournament.