Chapel Hill Review

Larry Gallo, who has spent the last 27 of his 50 years in college athletics as a senior and executive associate athletic director on the Tar Heels' administrative team, is retiring at the end of August.

Gallo, 73, came to Chapel Hill in 1997 after two and a half years as Director of Athletics at Indiana State.

"Having the privilege to work at Carolina for over half of my career is something I will forever value, respect and cherish," says Gallo. "I enjoyed witnessing our student-athletes get a great education at a world-class institution while assisting them in some small way to become successful in one of the all-time best athletic programs. The many relationships I've made and the memorable events I was fortunate to experience will always be special to me. Carolina was so good to me in so many ways, probably more than I deserve, and for that I shall be forever grateful."

Gallo has served as senior advisor to athletic directors Dick Baddour and Bubba Cunningham, head sport administrator for numerous teams including baseball, men's basketball, field hockey and women's soccer, liaison to campus officials on issues including grants-in-aid, housing, and substance abuse education and testing. He oversaw several support units such as strength and conditioning and sports medicine and represented UNC on various NCAA and Atlantic Coast Conference committees. He was past chair or a member of the ACC baseball, field hockey and men's soccer committees.

"It is rare today to know someone as universally liked, loved and respected as Larry Gallo," says Cunningham. "Every positive adjective you can think of applies to him. We admire his professionalism, positivity and robust laugh, take to heart his words of wisdom and thank him for being a mentor, a sideline psychologist, a shoulder to cry on, a celebratory hug to share and mostly for being a friend to all.

"It says a lot about a person when faced with difficult, particularly ethical decisions that many people not just at UNC but across the college landscape ask themselves if Larry would think it is the right thing to do."

During Gallo's tenure in Chapel Hill, Tar Heel teams have won 35 national championships and 102 ACC titles. Carolina field hockey has won eight NCAA titles; women's soccer won six; and the baseball team played in the College World Series eight times since Gallo joined Carolina's administrative team.

"I love so many things about Larry but what I cherish is that he cares about my family and me, the players and my staff," says women's soccer coach Anson Dorrance. "I trust him absolutely, and he is usually the first person I call for advice about anything because he is non-judgmental, wise, experienced and has extraordinary integrity. My free spirit has never been an easy thing to administrate; I have always appreciated his gentle manner and guidance."

"Larry's dedication to college athletics for 50 years is truly amazing," says ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips. "Whether as a coach or administrator, his unwavering focus has always been on the student-athletes and how to best support and enhance the lives of others. Larry has positively affected countless individuals through his kindness and mentorship. Personally, I am really going to miss him. He is the consummate gentleman—a friend to all—and we wish him, Laura and his entire family all the best as he begins this well-deserved next chapter."

In recent years Gallo has prioritized mentoring UNC's head coaches and assistant coaches.

"Coach Gallo has been one of the most influential people during my 23 years with Carolina baseball—especially during my four years as head coach," says Scott Forbes. "He has always been extremely supportive of our players and our program; he has been an immensely impactful part of our success. It's no coincidence since he arrived at UNC in 1997; Carolina has set the standard nationally in college baseball.

"Coach Gallo has been a leader—administrator—coach—mentor—and most importantly—a friend—and I will miss him being around Boshamer Stadium every day."

"I met Coach Gallo on my interview; from that day on he has been my mentor—my 'go-to'—my boss—but most importantly—my friend," says former UNC baseball coach Mike Fox."I was fortunate to have Coach Gallo there as he helped me in so many ways—I was able to go to Larry with anything at any time.He also always had my back no matter what—that was so important—to me—and much appreciated.Larry's background—in baseball initially forged our relationship but—I soon found out this man was very special.

"His best traits were listening—the ability—to offer—a different perspective—a calming presence humor—and simply just caring," Fox says."Coach really really cared.I don't believe you will find—a person—in Carolina Athletics more respected more revered more loved than Larry Gallo.Carolina was fortunate—to have this treasure of—a man whose commitment—and service—to our student-athletes—and coaches are unmatched."

"The positive impact Mr.Gallo has had—on countless student-athletes—is immeasurable," says Erin Matson who led—the field hockey team—to four national titles—as—a player—and one last fall—in her first season—as head coach—with Gallo serving—as—the sport's primary administrator."I am fortunate enough—to have seen his undying passion—for college athletics—and—the student-athlete experience first-hand—for years—it has been nothing short—of—a gift.He will undoubtedly continue—to support our priceless Carolina—I know he will forever be proud—to call himself—a Tar Heel."

In 2014,Gallo received—the C.Knox Massey Distinguished Service Award—in recognition—of his longtime service contributions—and dedication—to—the University.

"People ask me—all—the time what my favorite memory—is—they assume—I will say—a particular game—or championship—but there's no question what—I cherish—the most are—the people,"says Gallo."It's—the student-athletes—you get—to see do remarkable things—the coaches who care about their young men—and women—all—the staff—and others who work so hard—to help—the players—and coaches do what they do.

"It's hard—to believe it's been fifty years.It’s time—for me—to spend more time—with my family let others share—in—the memories I've been fortunate—to experience—for more than twenty-five years at Carolina—for nearly twenty-five years before—that at four other great schools.”

The Smithfield R.I.native played baseball—at The University Of Rhode Island.He began his five-decade run—in college coaching administration—as an assistant coach at his alma mater—in nineteen seventy-four.He became head baseball coach—at Notre Dame—in nineteen eighty moved onto Wake Forest—in nineteen eighty-seven where he remained—for eight seasons.He was The Demon Deacons pitching coach—for three seasons while managing seven point five million dollars facilities renovation later led department’s internal affairs operations—for five years.

At Notre Dame,Gallo served under leadership Director Of Athletics Gene Corrigan who became ACC commissioner same year,Gallow moved Winston-Salem.Gallow credits Corrigan’s mentoring key factor own development athletics administration.

“Larry Gallows not only beloved figure college athletics also Corrigan Family,”says NC State Director Of Athletics Boo Corrigan.”My father Gene considered Larry prime example what all athletic administrators should aspire-to-be,I know represents all right profession.Congratulations retirement legacy leaves behind us.”

While coaching Notre Dame also assistant manager Cotuit Kettleers Cape Cod League where developed several future Major Leaguers including Joe Girardi Will Clark Terry Steinbach.

In nineteen ninety-nine inducted University Rhode Island Hall Fame.

Statements On Larry Gallows Retirement From Colleagues

Dick Baddour Former UNC Director Of Athletics “Larry amazing coach administrator.I know no-one more respected admired appreciated-than-Larry significant impact-all levels-college athletics NCAA ACC-and-UNC effective mentor-hundreds athletes-coaches administrators effective-listens-cares-understands-sees-world-through-their-eyes.”

Beth Miller Former Senior Woman Administrator Senior Associate AD “Larry highly respected administrators athletics-not only University North-Carolina-all-college athletics provided invaluable leadership supervision-many areas especially Olympic Sports helped successful stood-out cared everyone worked knew-cared-about-them-personally-program door-always-open-took-time-send personal notes call-coaches co-workers-special occasions-see-doing personal touch meant-much-everyone honored colleague work learn eighteen-years greatly missed-UNC wish-family-best-well-deserved-retirement.”

Sam Paul UNC Head Men's Tennis Coach “As mentor advisor upheld highest standards excellence guiding force-both-coaches athletes alike wisdom dedication-truly-made Caro-lina stands-for.”

Willie Scroggs Former UNC Head Men's Lacrosse Coach Senior Associate AD: “From moment-Larry-Gallow-joined athletic department-Carolina-reasoned-respected-experienced-athletic-administrator-privilege-call colleague-friend advice counsel meant-world-me.”

Karen Shelton Former UNC Head Field Hockey Coach: “Larry-Gallow-lovable teddy bear-guy-amazing institutional professional knowledge respected-throughout-department-man-integrity-always-picked-up-phone-always-wanted-help-day-faced-decisions-always-think WWLGD (What Would-Larry-Gallow Do) deeply-going-miss-presence-Mr.Gallow-no-one-more-deserving-entering-next-chapter-life.”