New Job, Same Philosophy

Bill Foti, Guilford's new athletic director, wants to continue building relationships with student-athletes

BY STEPHANIE MILLER

On May 25, 2021, 57-year-old William (Bill) Foti was named as Guilford’s new Director of Athletics. A graduate of the University of New Hampshire, the Manchester native brings 36 years of experience in coaching and administration to Greensboro.

Foti began his coaching career in 1986 as a graduate assistant at New Hampshire College (now Southern New Hampshire University), where he also earned an MBA. In 1992, he was named head men’s basketball coach at Colby-Sawyer College, a small liberal arts school in New London, N.H. In 29 years at Colby-Sawyer he won 486 games, placing him among the top 25 winningest active coaches at the Division III level. Foti also served as Director of Athletics for seven years (2013-20), overseeing 22 men’s and women’s teams.

Foti and wife Cathy have three children, son Nick (who lives in Charlotte) and daughters Christina, a recent graduate of Southern New Hampshire University, and Caroline, a freshman at American University.

Guilford College Magazine sat down with Foti and talked with him about the transition from coaching to administration, creating a balance between men’s and women’s athletics and what a successful Division III coach looks like.

Q: You never played college basketball. What made you choose to become a coach?

A: First, my high school basketball coach, Stan Spirou, was a true mentor. Other than my parents, there was no one who influenced me more as a young person than him. He gave me my first job at New Hampshire College. Secondly, coaching was something I thought I would be very good at, although I’m not sure why.

Q: What is your definition of a successful coach at the Division III level?

A: When you boil it down, a successful coach is one that brings a positive, comprehensive experience to studentathletes that is consistent with a college’s values. I like to win games, and being successful is important. But it is just as important that student-athletes have a good experience academically, athletically and with other activities. Coaches really can make a difference in establishing that culture.

Q: What will you most miss about not being on the sidelines?

A: There is no better feeling in the world than coaching a great team. When everything works and you have a great group of student-athletes, there is no better feeling than seeing that manifest itself in wins on the court. Off the court, it is the relationships. That is why I have vowed that as an administrator, I will never get that far away from the student-athletes. It's building those relationships that I will miss.

Q: What will you not miss about coaching?

A: The games. The stress of the games takes a toll. During the month of February I would lose 15 pounds or more. One of the benefits of COVID is that it showed me what life without coaching could be like. We practiced but did not have games. To be truthful, I did not miss the games. Not missing the games was a signal to me that maybe it was time to step away.

Q: What is it that makes Division III athletics so unique and so special?

A: It is the largest division in the NCAA, and the spirit behind being a student-athlete is the truest in terms of balancing things. In Division III you see a lot of studentathletes playing multiple sports. You don’t see that much at the Division I level, but if someone wants to try it here, it’s celebrated. There are no requirements for student-athletes when not in season. Kids want to have internships, kids need to have jobs. They can do that here.

Q: There is a new softball indoor batting facility scheduled to open in December. What are your feelings regarding an equal commitment to women’s sports teams?

A: It is crystal clear that there is a commitment toward equitable opportunities across genders here. I have a desire to work collaboratively with our coachesand administration in continuing that commitment. I worked in in NCAA compliance for years dealing with Title IX issues so I feel very strongly about this.

Q: Clearly, budgetary concerns have been a recent issue at Guilford. What is your goal for meshing fiscal responsibility with a large and successful athletics program?

A: The budget is set for this year. I was not involved in the planning, but it is my responsibility to adhere to it. I have a lot of experience with meeting a budget and with going through lean budget years. Most Division III schools do. I’ve certainly never been overbudgeted. I know when to be creative and when to say, “This is what we need.”

Q: How did you leverage budget creativity at Colby-Sawyer?

A: There are so many things you can do. It’s how and where and when you schedule games. How you transport to games. What time do you leave? How do you plan meals? Perhaps two teams can travel together if you plan ahead. There are many ways to be creative.

Q: Why Guilford?

A: On a personal level, my wife Cathy and I are becoming empty nesters. It was sort of a perfect storm. We could set out on an adventure and move anywhere. When I came down for the interview, I loved the campus – all the green space and mature trees. The interview process was very comprehensive, and I was impressed with the answers to my questions. I already had heard positive things about the coaches here; there are many who have been very successful on a national level. It’s not easy to find coaches of such high quality. More than anything, I just felt comfortable. Now that I’m here, I can appreciate even more how beautiful it is. I’m just over-the-moon thrilled. We are living in a house on campus, and I can walk to work. Who can do that? It’s a hoot.