May 24, 2022 – When Ian O’Connor arrived at Marist as an undergraduate nearly forty years ago, he had a good idea of the career he would pursue but admittedly needed some experience to get there. Four decades, and numerous awards and successes later, the esteemed Marist alumnus, sports columnist and best-selling author returned to campus as a special guest speaker at Commencement for adult undergraduate, master’s and doctoral students.

O’Connor ’86 is a renowned columnist for the New York Post and has written four consecutive New York Times bestsellers – Coach K, Belichick, The Captain and Arnie and Jack. At Friday night’s Commencement, he received the Distinguished Alumni Medal, presented to those who exemplify the College’s ideals: excellence in education, a sense of community, and a commitment to service.

During his speech, O’Connor spoke about his Marist experience in the 1980’s, the immense growth of the campus since then and the fact that when he was invited back, he jumped at the chance.

“I originally was scheduled to be in Oklahoma, writing about Tiger Woods (at the PGA Championship), but I am very happy to be home again with you, so it’s a wonderful day,” said O’Connor.



Ian O’Connor ’86 (left) receives the Distinguished Alumni Medal from Eileen Gilfedder Altobelli ’82, President of the Alumni Association (center) as Marist College President Dr. Kevin Weinman (right) looks on.

O’Connor talked about choosing Marist to attend as an undergraduate from New Jersey and learning to become a writer while at the Marist Circle. He spoke glowingly about his college experience and also the growing reputation of Marist across the country and its graduates in the workplace.

“When I was a student here in the 80’s, some people called Marist a sleeping giant. That giant as we all know is wide awake,” said O’Connor. “If you give a Marist graduate a job, that job will get done the right way. The Marist graduate will attack the day with enthusiasm and with a relentless commitment to excellence.”

He ended with the phrase former President Dr. Dennis J. Murray said to him at the 1986 Commencement, “Go make the college proud”.

O’Connor has been honored by the Pro Football Writers of America, the Golf Writers Association of America, and the Associated Press Sports Editors, who named him the No. 1 columnist in the country in his circulation category three times. He is a past winner of the Society of Professional Journalists’ prestigious Sigma Delta Chi Award, presented at the National Press Club.

Last week, he was honored with a New York Press Club Award for best sports feature of 2021 on his feature in the New York Post on broadcaster Dick Vitale’s battle with cancer.

You can find a complete roundup of Marist’s 2022 Commencement weekend here.