When Frank Pergolizzi picked up the phone and heard the words, “We’d like to induct you into the Hall of Fame,” his reaction was equal parts surprise and gratitude.

For Pergolizzi, who served as Husson University’s athletic director from 2013 to 2023, the induction is not only a personal honor but also a reflection of a decade that reshaped the university’s athletic department. Over his 10-year tenure, Husson captured 57 conference championships, made 40 NCAA tournament appearances, and expanded its offerings with four new varsity sports. 

His leadership left an indelible mark on the program, and now his name will permanently hang in among the institution’s greats.

Pergolizzi was no stranger to the world of college athletics when he accepted the job in Bangor. He had already built a long career in athletic administration, but the draw of Maine was a key factor in his move.

What followed was a decade of transformation. Under his watch, Husson athletics not only grew in numbers but also in stature, adding programs such as women’s tennis, men’s swimming and diving, men’s track and field, and women’s golf.

At the same time, he spearheaded major facility enhancements, including the creation of the Wadleigh Academic Center, the Wight’s Strength & Conditioning Facility, and upgrades to the Winkin Sports Complex and Boucher Field.

He points to one moment in particular: the football team’s upset win at Springfield College in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Division III tournament. “That’s really the only success Husson Athletics has in any sport beyond the first round,” he said. “It was a big deal for the program and for the university.”

Beyond wins and losses, he takes pride in the culture that developed around the department. During his tenure, Husson student-athletes consistently excelled in the classroom and the community, balancing rigorous academics with athletic commitments. “It wasn’t just about championships,” he said. “It was about building programs and student-athletes who could succeed on and off the field.”

For Pergolizzi, Husson’s growth extended beyond athletics. During his decade on campus, enrollment and academic offerings expanded, matching the progress made in sports. “The campus has grown considerably in many ways,” he said. “Growth in enrollment, growth in academic majors, growth in athletic programs—those were all very exciting things to see.”

One of the defining characteristics of Pergolizzi’s tenure was his ability to bring people together. Whether it was through launching new programs, cutting the ribbon on facilities, or celebrating championships, he emphasized connection and collaboration.

Even now, as a Hall of Famer, he sees his induction as less about personal achievement and more about continuing that connection. “The Hall of Fame connects me to Husson and to the athletic department in a way that lasts forever,” he said. “It means being part of the campus community and the athletic community for good, because your name is there, on that wall.”

Pergolizzi is quick to thank those who made his success possible, starting with his wife. “She’s been with me every step of the way,” he said. He also acknowledged the many coaches and student-athletes who played under his leadership. “Most of the athletes who are here right now came under my umbrella, so to speak,” he said. “That won’t be the case much longer, but it’s special to know I was part of their journey.”

He reflects on his decade at Husson with pride but also with humility. “When you’re an athletic director, it’s never about you,” he said. “It’s about the student-athletes, the coaches, the staff, and the university. That’s who this honor really represents.”

The numbers speak for themselves—57 conference championships, 40 NCAA appearances, and a top-100 finish in the NACDA Directors’ Cup—but perhaps Pergolizzi’s greatest contribution is the infrastructure and culture he leaves behind. Husson athletics today is stronger, broader, and more competitive than it was when he arrived, and that is the true measure of his impact.

Looking back on his career, Pergolizzi considers the Hall of Fame induction both a capstone and a reminder of the community he helped build. “It’s awesome,” he said simply. “It’s cool to know that even though my time as athletic director has ended, I’ll always be a part of Husson.”

For Frank Pergolizzi, the Hall of Fame is not just recognition of what he accomplished in 10 years. It is also a symbol of the foundation he helped lay for generations of Husson student-athletes to come.