Michael Gentile, J.D.

Associate Professor & Associate Dean

Email:

mgentile@niagara.edu

Phone:

(716) 286-8652

Fax:

(716) 286-8277

Office Location:

St. Vincent's Hall Room 411

Bio

Michael Gentile is an Associate Professor in the College of Hospitality and Tourism Management at Niagara University. He teaches courses in Sport Management, Recreation and Sport Law, Recreation and Sport Programming, and Special Topics in sport.

Professor Gentile has over 20 years of professional experience including 10 years in the practice of law specializing in civil litigation and municipal law.  He also has been associated with the sport and recreation industry, specifically in the field of intercollegiate athletics, for 11 years.  Prior to arriving at Niagara University, Professor Gentile was the first commissioner of the Empire 8 Conference, a Division III athletic conference in Central New York State.  He also has experience as an Associate Athletic Director at the University of Texas at El Paso and as Director of Compliance and Student Services at the University at Buffalo.  Professor Gentile was also an adjunct faculty member at Daemen College teaching classes in sport law.

Professor Gentile currently conducts research in the areas of initial eligibility requirements, sport sponsorship regulations and youth sport activities.  He provides workshops for area high school teachers, counselors and coaches about initial eligibility and consults with school personnel and students on athletics eligibility issues.

Professor Gentile is active on campus and in the community, particularly in the area of his expertise.  He is currently a member of the Niagara University Steering Committee for NCAA Certification and the Chair of the Subcommittee on Governance and Rules Compliance.  He also serves on the Faculty Athletic Advisory Committee at Niagara. Additionally, he is a long-standing board member and volunteer for the Niagara Police Athletic League.  He has served on both the Niagara Falls Juvenile Justice Board and the Niagara County Juvenile Justice Task Force and is an advisor to the Niagara Falls Youth Court.  Professor Gentile can be seen on local cable television broadcasts providing color commentary for college, high school and youth sports.  He is also completing his 20^th year as a high school and college basketball official.

Professor Gentile earned a Bachelor of Arts in History from John Carroll University and a Juris Doctor from the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law.  He has completed the requirements for a Master of Arts in Physical Education, Sport Administration from Kent State University. Professor Gentile is a member of the North American Society for Sport Management.