Athletic Department Welcomes New Sports Information Director

In his pre-teens, Stewart lived in Burlington, Vt., and his parents own a home in Morrisville, Vt.

"Both my wife and I have roots in the Northeast," said Stewart. "When I was a kid, my dad took me to UVM (University of Vermont) and Plattsburgh State hockey games."

In Abilene, Stewart was the sports information director for McMurry University, a NCAA Division III school with a 19-sport athletics program. While there, Stewart had successful placements of news pieces in Sports Illustrated , USA Today and the Dallas Morning News . Prior to this role, he was the sports information director at Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Ore. His extensive background in sports media relations includes stints at the University of Alaska in Anchorage, Ohio University and Newberry College in South Carolina.

Athletic Director Bruce Delventhal is looking forward to working with Stewart.

"The Athletic Department at SUNY Plattsburgh is excited to welcome Patrick as the new sports information director," said Delventhal. "His love of intercollegiate athletics is evident as soon as you talk with him. He has an extensive and impressive background in his field, and we believe he can lift the sports information office to a new level. We are pleased to welcome Patrick and his wife to the SUNY Plattsburgh community."

During his career, Stewart has been awarded 20 national citations for athletic publications and writing excellence, including six "Best in the Nation" awards from the College Sports Information Directors of American (CoSIDA).

Stewart, who joins Kerry Chapin, the assistant sports information director, and a group of students who work in the sports information office, said that he is excited to be a part of the Cardinal athletic program at Plattsburgh.

"I've known the Plattsburgh name for quite a long time," said Stewart. "I feel that the program here is on the verge of being a national player in Division III athletics. Our media outlets should be not only local, but regional and national as well. And not only providing exposure for athletics, but for the College as a whole. I want to make sure that the student athletes get the awards and accolades they deserve."

Stewart received a bachelor's degree in communication and a bachelor's degree in physical education at Ohio University. He moved to Plattsburgh with his wife, Geri, who has a son, Chris, currently serving in Iraq, and a daughter, Katherine, currently living in Maine.

"Plattsburgh State is very competitive and can grow to a higher level," said Stewart. "I want to bring a Division I philosophy to my role as sports information director."

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The Athletic Department at the State University of New York College at Plattsburgh sponsors 19 intercollegiate teams that compete against other SUNY colleges and teams at the NCAA Division III level. More than 325 student-athletes participate on the intercollegiate teams at SUNY Plattsburgh.