Oct. 19, 2007

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Bernadette Cafarelli, University of Notre Dame sports information director since 2003 and now in her 14th year as a member of the sports information office, has been named an assistant athletics director.

Cafarelli oversees the day-to-day operation of the sports information office and staff, as well as media relations and publicity material for all Notre Dame Olympic sports teams. She works primarily with the men’s basketball and rowing teams and serves as co-editor of the football game programs.

“Bernie has been a valued member of our athletics communication staff for some time now, and this promotion simply confirms the level of her involvement within our administrative group,” said Notre Dame director of athletics Kevin White.

“She has a great feel for our coaches, our student-athletes and all of our programs, and we expect her to be even more involved in the future in all the various media relations and public relations endeavors of the department.”

A 1983 University of Notre Dame graduate, Cafarelli joined the staff in September 1994 following seven years as assistant director of marketing, promotions and media relations at Providence College. At Providence, she served as primary contact for 16 sports and served as chief editor of the women’s basketball guide. In addition, she assisted with daily operations of the men’s basketball team.

She has been a member of the Academic All-America Committee for 16 years and currently is a vice-chairman of that committee. Cafarelli received the Lester Jordan Award from the College Sports Information Directors of America in 2000 for outstanding contributions to the Academic All-America program. Cafarelli also is a member of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four Media Relations Committee.

Prior to her position at Providence, Cafarelli spent three years as assistant sports information director at William and Mary.

Born March 3, 1961, the Schenectady, N.Y., native graduated from Notre Dame with a degree in American Studies. She served for two years as a student assistant in the sports information office. Following graduation, Cafarelli attended Ohio University where she received her master’s in sports administration in November 1984.

— ND —