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Geno DeMarco: A decade of shaping Geneva athletics
Geno DeMarco would be the last person in the world to take any credit for success within Geneva’s athletic department. Under his leadership as director and head football coach, the Golden Tornadoes have experienced significant athletic, academic and departmental achievements. This summer, DeMarco will pass his responsibilities as athletic director on to Dr. Kim Gall and focus his attention solely on his football coaching career.
In an athletic mission statement he designed and executed, DeMarco stressed “honoring Jesus Christ in and out of the athletic arena, recognizing the valued purpose of each individual within the body and encouraging a teachable spirit aimed at servant leadership.”
From facility upgrades to academic achievements and victories on the field, DeMarco has led Geneva College to one win after another. Living by example and never missing opportunities for improvement, he has had a powerful impact on student-athletes and their coaches. He has encouraged his coaching staff to take ownership of their individual programs, enabling then to help their players excel athletically, academically and spiritually.
Geneva’s improved athletic facilities are another testimony to DeMarco’s efforts. A new basketball floor, lighting and bleachers have been installed in the Metheny Fieldhouse. A new synthetic football playing surface, along with major renovations to the aging Reeves Field, is the centerpiece of the Geneva athletic home. The Merriman Athletic Complex houses a state-of-the-art track, along with one of the finest soccer facilities in the region, and thanks to the installation of new facilities, Geneva’s softball team has a home field for the first time in a decade.
Even with athletic success and new and improved facilities, DeMarco’s greatest impact has been off the field. Following the 2000 academic year, DeMarco began recognizing student athletes for academic excellence with the first AD Scholar-Athlete Award. A total of 26 student-athletes were recognized that year for being at least a junior with a 3.2 cumulative GPA, and that number has more than doubled in the past seven years. Numerous Geneva students have also received all-conference scholar-athlete and academic All-American recognition during DeMarco’s tenure.
Excellence on the field and in the classroom has become a standard that will challenge Geneva's student-athletes for years to come. For 10 years, Geno DeMarco has been the face of Geneva athletics and will continue to serve his alma mater as one of the finest football coaches in the area. Geneva’s athletic programs will continue to prosper under the new administration, but will have the legacy of Coach DeMarco to thank for a decade of excellence and for a spirit of achievement that will never die.
– Van Zanic '93