LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The time has come to raise a glass of Kentucky's finest to an institution within the institution at Bellarmine University.

After 34 years of service to Bellarmine — first in the university's public relations office and then as its Assistant Athletic Director for Communication — John Spugnardi has announced his retirement effective Nov. 1.

"I have so many people to thank for making the last 34 years just an amazing ride," Spugnardi said. "From my everyday co-workers to students to college presidents to colleagues at other schools to volunteers at athletic events, I truly have had great experiences with all and couldn't have been successful without each and every one."

Affectionately known university wide as "Spugs," the native of Simpsonville, Kentucky, devoted the vast majority of his professional life to Bellarmine in a career that spanned five decades. In 1989, he began working in the university's PR office, where he spent 19 years. In 2008, he transitioned to athletics, assuming the role of Sports Information Director, which eventually evolved into Assistant Athletic Director for Communication. He held the position for the last 15 years.

"I can speak for all of Bellarmine in delivering heartfelt thanks to Spugs for his unwavering dedication and commitment to the University for 34 years," Bellarmine Director of Athletics Scott Wiegandt said. "He helped drive our athletics department forward not only in the communications aspect but in event organizing and brand reach, along with many other components integral to growth and sustained success. I hired him to lead our athletics communication team, and it's to his credit that he will make filling a void left by 34 years of knowledge and distinguished service to Bellarmine University impossible."

"I've had the opportunity to work with Spugs for 13 years. He could find a way to make a tedious job fun," Deputy Director of Athletics/SWA Pam Stackhouse said. "He took pride in his work and ensured that everything sent out represented the best of his staff, our department and the institution. I'm excited to watch the next chapter awaiting him, but I will miss his energy, humor and knowledge of all things Bellarmine." 

Spugs entered athletics communication during a revolutionary time in the business, as the digital era took hold and advances in technology in the field were significant and continuous. Faxed box scores and press releases — once a staple in advance of the next day's news — had given way to news-ready communication sources such as college athletic websites (Bellarmine's launched in 2009), digital live stats, digital live streaming that allowed for "game productions" that had once been exclusive to television, and, of course, the advent of social media.

"The explosion of technology has also been an interesting development in my more than three decades at Bellarmine," Spugnardi said. "On my first day on the job, I was training on a typsetting machine that utilized a nine-inch floppy diskette. Now we use web-based applications on a daily basis."

Of course, advances in technology weren't the only source of transition. In the summer of 2019, Bellarmine announced the rise from Division II to Division I. Spugs deftly shepherded the athletics communication department through each new phase to hit the industry and the athletics department. This included the curve balls, such as the whole of the 2020-21 athletic year ostensibly being squeezed into the 2021 portion due to COVID-19.

"Before Spugs hired me in 2014, he told me during the interview process that he wasn't an expert on anything in sports information, but he knew enough about everything that goes into it to be 'dangerous,' " Assistant Director of Athletic Communication Adam Pruiett said. "I loved that description. What I appreciated even more was that Spugs validated it every day that I worked alongside him. Nothing confounded him, no part of the job ever got the better of him. He could figure anything out and adjust, often on the fly. He was indeed 'dangerous' in every aspect of an occupation that's evolved by leaps and bounds over the last decade alone. In my mind, that made him an expert in the field. You won't find a better mentor and friend."

The nature of his position is of the "all hours" variety, so Bellarmine owes a large debt and eternal gratitude to the patience and support of his wife, Paula, and son, Philip. All Spugs needed to keep him going was his coffee (any hour, always black) and, when the day's work was complete, often in the wee hours of the night, a bourbon (neat or on the rocks) for the born and bred Kentuckian, the smoothest of which would come while celebrating a Knights championship. Some of the most satisfying sips came in 2011, when men's basketball captured Bellarmine athletics' first NCAA national championship.

"John Spugnardi has been the consummate PRO!!!!! His greatest strength is he cares," said Men's Basketball Coach Scott Davenport, who has worked with Spugnardi for most of his 18 seasons at the helm. "Caring is a very special talent, often overlooked in every walk of life. The personal pride he demonstrated daily in all facets of his position was very special and something I will forever be thankful for. He deserves the right to enjoy every day, he earned it."

"The job John has done with our sports information department is amazing," said Tim Chastonay, who's in the midst of his 26th season as the head men's soccer coach. "Over the years, he has increased the exposure of our players and teams using every outlet possible. His presence will definitely be missed, but at the same time, he leaves the department in great shape."

In recent years, Spugs picked up yoga and, on occasion, was known to perform a perfect headstand. If it sounds offbeat, well, it fits the profile, especially when it comes to his sense of humor.

"One of my favorites was a 'positive as possible' story on a tournament where we played pretty poorly," longtime Bellarmine Women's Golf Coach Art Henry said. "I stopped by to thank him for the upside spin and his response was something like 'I had to go to confession after writing that!' "

As everyone in Bellarmine athletics knows, the golf course is his sanctuary — he checked an item off his "Bucket List" a few years back after playing a round at St Andrews. Spugs served a highly successful stint as Bellarmine's head men's golf coach from 1996-01, earning GLVC Coach of the Year honors in 1999 after leading the Knights to the GLVC Championships title while also pushing them to two runner-up finishes. He had gotten involved in athletics at BU essentially from the moment he stepped foot on campus, volunteering on the basketball statistics crew beginning in the 1989-90 season.

It started with a pen and paper. Thirty-four years later, it's time to step away from the keyboard and ride off into the sunset in his 1968 meadow lark yellow Ford Mustang.

"Aside from the great personal relationships I've made, I've had more than my share of remarkable memories," Spugnardi said. "I've gotten to meet Nobel Prize winners, be on the sidelines for a national championship victory, and coach multiple All-Americans." 

For those at Bellarmine, many of their remarkable memories of the university include Spugs.

The time has come to bid farewell and raise a glass to one of Kentucky's finest.

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