A former women’s triathlon coach became AACC’s new coordinator of athletics on April 1. 

George Erazo, who coached at St. Thomas Aquinas College in New York, said some of his goals are to create new Riverhawks sports teams and update the fields.

“[I] just [want] to try to improve in any way, shape or form,” Erazo, who called himself “a track and field guy,” said. “It’s a very small program than what I’m used to. I’m used to dealing with at least 22 teams at a time. And [AACC has 14] teams. So, there’s a lot of room for improvement.”

A coordinator of athletics is in charge of scheduling, athletic programs and facilities like playing fields and the gym. Erazo, a former recreational and facilities assistant at Iona College in New York, earned his bachelor’s degree in sports management from St. Thomas Aquinas College.

Erazo replaced Keith Bigelow, who served as coordinator of athletics for more than 20 years. Bigelow, who works in facilities and maintenance, will continue to coach the cross-country team. 

Athletic Director Duane Herr said Erazo’s experience will fit into the college.

“George just had a really diverse background of college,” Herr said. “Mainly, [he had] a lot of the things that we were looking for in terms of the field preparation, and the hands-on experience that we’re looking for.”

Third-year business administration student Brian Connolly, a co-captain of the baseball team, said the coordinator of athletics is someone the players can talk to. 

“It’s nice to have another member of the athletic staff that players and coaches can work with and talk to,” Connolly, a left-fielder, first baseman and pitcher, said. “Because I mean, it’s not always talking to your coach that helps. It’s nice to talk to other people with other vantage points.”

Second-year psychology student Dylan Anderson, who plays defense on the lacrosse team, said a coordinator of athletics “makes it a lot easier for us to go out there and do our best and feel like we’re being supported.”