Staten Island, NY | After an incredible eight-year stretch as Director of Athletics & Recreation at the College of Staten Island, Charles Gomes has announced he is stepping down.  Gomes announced his resignation to student-athletes and staffers last week, and will part ways with the school officially this month.  He is leaving CSI to accept the Athletics Director position at Allen D. Nease High School, in Ponte Vedra, Florida.  A major cog in CSI's transition to NCAA Division II, Gomes leaves behind a remarkable wake that included a series of tremendous advances by the program during his tenure.

"Charles has been a tremendous leader for CSI Athletics.  We would not have been able to make the transition to Division II without him," said CSI President Dr. William J. Fritz.  "His resignation is a big loss for us, but he built a solid team and foundation which will allow for a smooth transition.  Charles will always be a CSI Dolphin and a member of our family.  I wish him well in his new position and all his future endeavors."  ​

The decision by Gomes did not come easy. 
 
"This was the most difficult decision of my professional career," he explained.  "I'm very passionate about my role at CSI and the campus has been my home for more than a decade. The fact that I was able to play a small part in helping the college realize its potential is something I will carry with me for the rest of my life."

CSI made headlines in 2018, announcing an intention to withdraw from the City University of New York Athletic Conference to enter NCAA Division II's East Coast Conference, and entered the ranks as a provisional Division II institution in time for the 2019-20 season.  The move was made easier by a series of advancements the institution has made under Gomes' leadership, including the elevation of several head coaches to full-time status, numerous facility enhancements and major branding initiatives, installation of comprehensive fundraising blueprints, and major advancements both on the field of play and in the classroom.

Despite the achievements made by the program during his time as Director, Gomes, who also worked with CSI's College Now program from 2009-13, noted that it will not be what he will miss most when he vacates the position.  

"I love being a part of the CSI Athletics Department. I will miss all of the relationships our staff has developed over the years and being with each other on a daily basis," Gomes said.  "Most people on campus don't realize it, but in college athletics there is no time clock. We work evenings, weekends, holidays, we are always on campus to provide the best experience possible for our student-athletes. I'll miss those times and watching our kids compete, especially as they enter ECC competition."

Gomes assumed Director of Athletics duties at CSI in April of 2013 as a veteran in sports administration.  Alongside his role with College Now at CSI, Gomes served in various roles with the National Football Foundation and the College Hall of Fame "Play it Smart" program, where he worked as a Regional Coordinator before becoming its COO and Executive Director.  Gomes also had experience at both of his alma maters, serving as an Academic Counselor at Springfield College's Center for Youth Development Through Sport from 1998-01, where he received his Master's Degree in Athletic Counseling and Administration, and had the same role for the UMass-Amherst's Division I Men's Basketball program, where he received his Bachelor's in Psychology.  Gomes had also consulted for several National Football League youth initiatives and special events including the NFL Coaching Academy, NFL Junior Player Development, and NFL High School Player Development, and has coordinated a free football camp with former Dallas Cowboys Head Coach Jason Garrett.  Still, even with all of the experience, Gomes remarked at how educational the years as Director of Athletics has been for him.

"My experience at CSI has helped me grow immensely as both a person and a professional. I'll be forever thankful for the guidance and support I've received from Dr. Fritz, I've been able to learn about true leadership from him. My colleagues in the athletics department have taught me about passion and dedication, and have shown me just how many obstacles a group can overcome if they're willing to work as a team."

And as Gomes began to grow into the position at CSI, so too did the program grow under his guide.  Major renovations and branding efforts both inside and outside the Sports & Recreation Center and surrounding facilities have made CSI's athletic facilities an immediate attraction on campus visits and tours, and have made CSI a viable hosting site for community events and showcases as well as CUNYAC and potential-ECC Championship competition.  CSI's Soccer Complex has received a major facelift with renovations scheduled for the Track & Field facility, making CSI one of the elite Division II athletic campuses in the nation.  It is in part what allowed CSI the feasibility to align with the East Coast Conference, joining Queens College as the only public Division II institutions in New York State.

"As the college has evolved over the years and developed a new strategic plan, the move to Division II became a natural part of our progression," Gomes explained. "The college's plan, with priorities such as Student Success, Borough Stewardship and Destination Campus aligned perfectly with the Division II philosophy and the ECC is the perfect fit for our athletic program."

The Department's advances continued even through the COVID-19 pandemic, as CSI successfully advanced through its initial provisional year in the summer of 2020, implementing a comprehensive scholarship plan last summer now applied through provisional year two and beyond.  While Gomes contends that everyone is feeling the magnitude that COVID-19 has brought to college athletics, the Dolphins spirit remains strong thanks to the tremendous work of the staff during this time, something he is extremely grateful for.

"The impact of COVID-19 on college athletics has been severe, but I firmly believe that in difficult times we learn a lot about ourselves," he noted.  "For me the challenge of COVID has simply confirmed what I already knew, that we have an amazing athletics staff and phenomenal student-athletes. Despite numerous obstacles our coaches have provided support to our kids, and as a result CSI student-athletes have achieved unbelievable results in the classroom each of the prior two semesters. I couldn't be more proud of how all members of our CSI athletics family has responding during such a challenging time in our history."

Alas, Gomes is moving on to the next challenging chapter in his career, but knows that the program is well-equipped for the future, and he remains excited for the impact the program will make on the Division II landscape. 
 
"It's so difficult to leave this position but I know that with the leadership of Dr. Fritz, the passion of the athletics staff, and the competitive drive of our student-athletes, the future of CSI athletics is extremely bright."

The excitement level would not be possible, according to Dr. Fritz, without Gomes' leadership having paved the way for the many advancements the program has made.  While he leaves the program on capable footing, there is no doubting the tremendous loss that will be felt upon his absence, echoed by several staffers as well.

"Charles has been the leading force in the growth of CSI since he's been here," said Head Men's Soccer Coach John Tardy, who joined the Dolphins' staff in 2012 and was later elevated to the position of Assistant Athletic Director for Facilities.   "He genuinely cares about every single one of our student-athletes and wants to see them and our staff be successful both on and off their respective playing fields. He has challenged each individual of our staff to be the best at everything we do. I know this wasn't an easy decision for him.  We are losing a mentor, and a friend."
 
"Charles has been the glue to this program," noted Head Women's Basketball Coach Nicole Sarcone, who doubles as a Finance & Budget Assistant within the program. "He managed to create a challenging, yet familial environment for both the staff and student-athletes. His work ethic, passion and accomplishments are all things that can be highlighted, but what most stands out is how genuinely he cares for every person who is a part of our CSI family. His presence will be missed by each and every one of us, but we will continue to enhance the program that he has so greatly impacted."
 
Of course, Gomes' impact was equally felt among student-athletes as well.  "I can truly say that ever since I've arrived at CSI, Charles has been such a welcoming hand," remarked senior Rigaud Destime, a member of the Men's Basketball team and Co-President of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.  "He has been involved in every aspect of the student athlete's well-being, whether it be on the front lines or behind the scenes. Charles has been an exceptional AD and has been instrumental in improving the athletic program at CSI year after year. Hearing of his resignation is quite a surprise knowing how much he cares about us and how much he has invested into the school. I know that everyone will miss him dearly and will wish him luck on his further endeavors."

Although he is grateful for the praise, Gomes was apprehensive when talking about his legacy at College of Staten Island, choosing instead to focus on what continues to happen at CSI and the potential it still hopes to realize.

"Since I started in this role, I always believed in the potential of our campus, our staff and most importantly our student-athletes," he said.  "I've done my best over the years to be a good teammate and provide the best experience possible to our student-athletes at CSI. I know they will continue to make me proud by competing both on and off the field in the years ahead. I will always hold CSI Athletics extremely close to my heart."

The athletic program intends to honor Gomes at some point post-COVID, and wishes him the best in his future endeavors.  The college intends to announce an interim appointment to the position in the coming days.