Joseph R. Ianniello '90 Selected to Receive Peter X. Finnerty Leadership Award

The Pace University Department of Athletics has selected Joseph R. Ianniello '90 as the newest recipient of the Peter X. Finnerty Leadership Award. Ianniello will receive the award as part of the 2024 Pace Athletics Hall of Fame Brunch and Awards Ceremony, which will be held on Sunday, October 27 during Homecoming Weekend on the Pleasantville Campus.

The Peter X. Finnerty Award is presented to members of the Pace University Athletics community for outstanding leadership and service to the University or to society as a whole. Honorees exemplify those characteristics for which Peter Finnerty was best known: hard work, a spirit of competition, and the ability to serve and lead with integrity and to inspire others to do the same. This will mark the 10th time this honor has been awarded since its creation.

Ianniello earned a Bachelor's of Business Administration at Pace, and was a member of the University's football team and the Alpha Chi Epsilon fraternity on campus. Over the years he frequently mentored Pace students, returning to Pace's Lubin School of Business to share career and industry advice.

In April 2015, it was announced that Ianniello made a $2 million commitment to the construction of a new athletics field house at the University's campus in Pleasantville. Ianniello Field House was completed later that year and became a flagship facility of Pace University Athletics. Ianniello's contribution was a part of the University's Campaign for Pleasantville, which transformed and revitalized the 200-acre campus that also included new residential facilities, an expanded student center, and a new environmental center.

The Ianniello Field House is one of the most heavily utilized buildings on campus, with thousands of visitors per year. Pace athletes and coaches use this facility for practice, conditioning, and meetings, while the space is also used for special events with alumni, family, friends, and recruits. The 14,010 sq. ft. facility includes a strength and conditioning center and a sports medicine component.

Ianniello has also been a member of the Board of Trustees of Pace University since 2014. He joined the Board during a time of great change and significant investment in learning and living facilities at both the Westchester and New York City campuses.

"Over the course of my tenure here at Pace, no other gift has been as impactful as the support of Joe Ianniello," said Director of Athletics Mark Brown. "His visionary gift allowed for the construction of the Joseph R. Ianniello Fieldhouse and that building has transformed our entire athletic operation. In addition to his philanthropy, he also has provided his athletic perspective through his participation on the Pace Board of Trustees and his support of the entire Pace community. I acknowledge and thank Mr. Ianniello for his tremendous leadership and his belief in our athletic department."

Ianniello will be recognized with this year's Athletics Hall of Fame inductees. The newest members to be inducted into the Pace Athletics Hall of Fame will be Jeane Drury (Softball and Women's Basketball '15), Al Elliott (Men's Basketball '02), Casey Gelderman (Women's Lacrosse '18), Brian Pirone (Football '96) and Claudia Stable (Head Softball Coach/SWA). The Pace Athletics Hall of Fame was started in 1997 with this year's ceremony marking the 21st induction class.

Tickets for the event are available for $115 per person. For more information on the 2024 Pace University Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, please contact Director of Athletic Development Drew Brown at (914) 773-3271 or dbrown4@pace.edu. Register for this event.