UNCW Athletic Director Fired

The University of North Carolina Wilmington fired the athletic director of two years, Mike Capaccio.

Capaccio was named interim athletic director in 2004. He assumed the permanent position a few months later.

Seahawk Club member, Dr. Chris Glendenning said the community was excited when Capaccio was hired.

“Mike was a very well-liked person, very fun to be around. He had become a very important part of the Seahawk family," Glendenning said.

However, Capaccio came under fire last spring from the Seahawk community when he failed to re-sign standout basketball coach, Brad Brownell.

“I think alot of people probably felt like the effort to retain our previous coach, coach Brownell, the effort probably wasn't where a lot of people would like it to be at that time," Glendenning said.

University officials are not releasing details of the termination. In a written statement, University Chancellor Rosemary DePaolo said, “I believe the university will be better served with this change in athletic department leadership. This decision was reached after a thoughtful and comprehensive performance review of his two years as athletic director.”

Glendenning has high hopes for the future of Seahawks athletics.

“Hopefully, a new chapter with a new A-D just creates a great opportunity for us,” he said.

University officials said they will name an interim athletic director next week, and will begin a nation-wide search for a permanent replacement soon.