Staff Directory
- Title:
- Senior Associate Athletics Director for Team Operations
- EMail:
- Phone:
- (973) 761-9725
- Alma Mater:
- St. John's '83
Jimmy O'Donnell currently serves as the Senior Associate Athletics Director for Team Operations, having been promoted to the position in 2008.
O'Donnell manages every aspect of travel for all 14 Pirate teams, including budgets, itineraries, transportation, and hotel accommodations. He is the sport administrator for men's soccer and men's basketball and also serves as the game day administrator for men’s soccer home games and men's basketball games, both home and away. O'Donnell is a key collaborator in the development of the men's basketball schedule and subsequent contract negotiations, working closely with the Athletics Director, head coach, and team staff. O’Donnell also directly supervises Sports Medicine; Strength and Conditioning; and Recreational Services.
A 1983 graduate of St. John's University with a Bachelor of Science in Athletics Administration, O'Donnell began his career in collegiate athletics at his alma mater in 1985 as the Assistant Director of Recreation. Upon his arrival at Seton Hall in 1988, he became the Director of Recreational Services. In 1989, he became the Assistant Athletics Director in charge of team travel and, at that time, was the sole game administrator for all 19 intercollegiate sports teams. From May 1996 to July 1997, he took on the interim role of athletic department Business Manager, overseeing a multimillion-dollar budget. In 2000, he was promoted to Associate Athletics Director.
During his more than three decades at Seton Hall, O'Donnell has led the department in the development and implementation of multiple programs, including the establishment of game day administrators for all sports, the student-athlete varsity awards program, the "Most Valuable Pirate Award,” as well as the Senior Day award program that recognizes all senior athletes at their final home contests. Beyond Seton Hall, O’Donnell has been a member of several Big East Championship Committees including Softball, Men’s and Women’s Tennis, Men’s Soccer, and over 20 years on the Big East Baseball Championship Committee, serving as its Chair for 17 years.
In 2013, O’Donnell was a recipient of the Bishop Bernard J. McQuaid Medal recognizing his outstanding and distinguished service to the Seton Hall community. He resides in Franklin Park, N.J. with his wife, Noreen (‘02 M.A. Ed.), and their son, Christopher (‘16 B.A. Communications).
