By: Scott Eddy, Assistant Athletics Director for Strategic Communications
When Steve Campbell took an internship at the St. Bonaventure Fitness Center during the summer before his senior year of college, he figured it was a hometown gig to get experience before moving out of the area to other things following graduation.
Flash forward 36 years, and Campbell is as synonymous with Bonaventure Athletics as just about anyone over the past four decades and will call it a career Aug. 2 as a true 'Bonaventure Man.'
"I had never imagined coming back here after college, but the opportunities that came about, being able to work for great athletic directors who gave me opportunities to grow professionally really kept me here," said Campbell, who announced his retirement in May. "St. Bonaventure is an extremely special place. It's been an honor and privilege to work with so many dedicated student-athletes, coaches, colleagues, and community members through the years. I will forever cherish the countless memories and lifelong friendships that were forged during my time here."
An Olean native who attended numerous Bonnies games in the Reilly Center growing up as well as basketball camps with the legendary Larry Weise, Campbell turned that internship into a full-time job as Fitness Center Manager in February 1988 after graduating from Slippery Rock University, later starting what would become a nearly 20-year Bona coaching career as an assistant golf coach in 1989.
Over the years he coached hundreds of student-athletes on the Bona golf team and became assistant director of athletics for facilities and internal operations in 1994, earning a promotion to associate AD in 1999.
During that time, the 2002 Atlantic 10 Golf Coach of the Year led his squad to 24 tournament titles and guided the program to its best-ever finish of third at the 2007 A-10 Championship.
"I'd like to congratulate Steve Campbell on an incredible career, spanning more than three decades of service to the St. Bonaventure University community and particularly our athletic department," said Bob Beretta, Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics. "Steve has had a profound impact on thousands of Bona student-athletes and left his imprint both as a head coach and longtime administrator. We are disappointed to see Steve leave our department but are thrilled for he, Chris and Sean to begin this new chapter of their lives. Steve personifies what it means to be a Bonnie and will always remain a valued member of the Bona Athletic family."
Campbell talks strategy with future SBU Hall of Famer Josh Anderson during a tournament in 2002.
Some of the golf program's greatest heights came under Campbell's leadership. He coached many of the program's best players including two SBU Hall of Fame selections in Josh Anderson and Chris Blocher.
His impact on Bona's Athletics went far beyond the golf course, though.
In his role overseeing facilities, he was directly involved in the complete reconstruction of baseball's Fred Handler Park, the multipurpose Marra Athletics Fields Complex, softball's Joyce Field, the Athletics Hall of Fame Room, men's and women's basketball locker room renovation, and Bob Lanier Court among various projects.
As an administrator, he oversaw the 2004 baseball A-10 championship squad as well as Bonnies women's basketball during the best run in program history – a 2012 Sweet 16, 2016 NCAA Second Round and four WNIT appearances.
He also had program oversight of women's soccer, men's soccer, softball, golf, men's lacrosse, sports medicine and strength and conditioning at times during his tenure.
Through his different roles as coach and administrator, Campbell made a positive impact on generations of Bonnies student-athletes.
"Coach Campbell changed my life when he gave me the opportunity to come and play for him at SBU. I grew as a player, student and person during my four years with him," said Ryan Swanson, Bona's current golf head coach who played for Campbell from 2005-08. "I try to emulate his coaching philosophy to produce terrific players, but better men. He's still the heartbeat of the golf program and that won't change in retirement. I wish the best for him, his wife Chris and son Sean."
For 25 years, Campbell directed the Leo Keenan Invitational at Olean's Bartlett Country Club and his teams won the tournament title nine times.
"It was an honor to play for Coach Campbell. He always had us ready to play," said Anderson, who was inducted into SBU's Hall of Fame in 2021. "We had some of the best teams in school history under Coach Campbell and that was not surprising. He built amazing team culture and we were all a part of it. He is a prime example of what St. Bonaventure is all about."
Steve Campbell was a fixture on the course with Bonnies golf as head coach from 1993-2008.
After transitioning to an administration role full-time following the conclusion of his coaching career in 2008, Campbell had a hand in nearly every aspect of Bonaventure Athletics.
He served as the department liaison with campus safety and security as well as the university events office and oversaw the St. Bonaventure Golf Course. He also was part of a number of Atlantic 10 Conference committees including the sport competition committees for baseball, golf, swim and dive and softball. He also worked as part of the SBU Athletics Hall of Fame Committee for several years, additionally serving as committee chair.
"It is nearly impossible to measure the impact Steve has had on the department," Bonnies women's basketball head coach Jim Crowley said. "He has helped us all in some way. His work ethic, dedication and loyalty to the department and staff will be missed greatly. He has been a great representative of Bonaventure and we are so thankful for all that he has given us."
Campbell is also active in the community, having served on the YMCA Board of Directors and also the Olean General Hospital Foundation Board. He has also dedicated his expertise to the SWNY-NWPA Men's Amateur Golf Tournament Committee for many years. He currently serves on the Bartlett Country Club board of directors.
"Steve Campbell is a true Bonnie," said Steve Watson, who worked with Campbell as Bona's director of athletics for seven-plus years before moving to his current role as AD at Loyola Chicago. "He's the ultimate professional; always there for the student-athletes, coaches and fellow staff members. From his days as the golf coach, to the many years serving as a senior leader on campus, nobody bleeds Brown and White like Steve. All the best to him and his family in his well-deserved retirement."
Amid all the success in coaching and accomplishments from the admin desk, though, Campbell's fondest memories will come from those he influenced during his career.
"More than anything, I'm proud of the relationships with people I've worked with, the people who have become friends," Campbell emphasized. "Seeing student-athletes come back to campus as professionals with families of their own has been so rewarding. There were so many great colleagues, athletes, staff. More than that, they became great friends. That's what I'm most proud of."
