Hempstead, NY – Hofstra's longtime senior sports information director Jim Sheehan has announced that he will retire from the University effective January 3, 2020.

"I am truly grateful for all the things that Hofstra has given to me over my long tenure at the University, Sheehan said. "I have spent more than half of my life at Hofstra and I will always have a warm spot in my heart for Hofstra. I'm too young to just sit on the porch and watch the world go by so I am looking forward to the next chapter in my life. To the many student-athletes, coaches, staff, alums, media members and friends that I leave behind, I wish them all the best of luck and success. It has been great working with you all and I thank you for everything."

"Jim has been a huge part of the success of Hofstra Athletics immediately upon his arrival in 1988 and served this department and the University in an exemplary manner over the 30-plus years," commented Hofstra Vice President and Director of Athletics Rick Cole Jr. "We congratulate him on his retirement from Hofstra and look forward to the next step in his journey. Jim is a legend at Hofstra and I know I speak for everyone in thanking him for his outstanding service to the University."

"There are few people as dedicated, as hardworking, and as well-connected as Jim Sheehan," mentioned Hofstra Vice President for University Relations Melissa Connolly. "An informal historian of Hofstra athletics, he remains close to student-athletes for years after they graduate, and his unique sense of humor and his hospitality has kept the press boxes at athletic events harmonious for years. The athletic program and the Hofstra family overall are better for having Jim as one of our own, and while I'm sad to see the end of the Jim Sheehan era, I'm thrilled that Jim will get to enjoy his well-deserved retirement."

A native of New York City, Sheehan came to Hofstra in August 1988 as sports information director. His responsibilities over the years have included serving as primary media liaison and publicist for Pride programs in basketball, field hockey, wrestling, men's lacrosse, and men's and women's cross country and track, as well as editor of media guides, programs, notes, records and statistics in those sports.

Sheehan was named the Publicist/SID of the Year by the National Wrestling Media Association in 2005-06.  In April 2017, he was selected the 2016-17 recipient of the Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association Distinguished Service Award. In December 2017, he received the 2017 Doyle Smith Sports Information /Media Award from the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA).

Prior to Hofstra, Sheehan served as assistant commissioner for information at the Gateway Conference in St. Louis, Missouri, from 1985 to 1988. He also served as coordinator of media information for the Houston Gamblers of the United States Football League from October 1984 through July 1985, and as sports information director at the University of Tampa from August 1982 through October 1984. Sheehan also has worked as sports information director at his alma mater, Biscayne College (1981-82), and as information director for the Sunshine State Conference (1980-84).

Sheehan and his wife, Maureen, reside in Middle Village, New York with their daughter Jillian (27) and granddaughter, Fiona (1).