Alumni
Athletics
Campus
It’s about to become an even greater focus.
Crespino, who since 2025 has served as deputy athletic director at Pittsburg State University, has been chosen as the next vice president of intercollegiate athletics, replacing longtime AD Jim Johnson.
Johnson is being promoted by President Thomas Newsom to a new role as executive vice president for engagement and executive affairs — a position that will play a key role in launching the university’s new initiative, “Access PITT State.”
"Athletics at Pitt State serves so many critical roles for our students and community, and Anthony has the right mindset to step in," said President Thomas Newsom. "He knows the challenges and opportunities ahead in NCAA athletics, and will continue to have an outstanding example and mentor in Jim. We expect great things in the years to come."
Raised in Girard, Kansas, he grew up around sports and community, playing basketball, running cross country and track, and spending fall Saturdays at Gorilla football games with his family. As a Pitt State student, he performed on the snare line with the Pride of the Plains Marching Band on game days.
Those experiences he describes as some of his most formative.
“No matter the sport, the world of athletics has been a key part of my life for as long as I can remember,” he said. “It’s also one of the front doors to the university. It’s visible, it’s exposure. Even hosting youth summer camps and wrestling tournaments — those offer a first look at Pitt State for kids who may one day decide to enroll here.”
Anthony’s grandpa, Frank Crespino (BSEd ‘56, MS ‘59, EdS ‘76) was a legendary football player at Pitt State and a highly regarded high school coach who was inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame in 2013. He coached the Gorilla football team for a year and built a legacy as a longtime coach at Colgan High School.
Anthony’s uncle, Coach Dennis Franchione (BA ‘73), led the Gorillas from 1985–1989 and went on to coach college football teams in several states.
Anthony’s father, Craig (BSEd ‘83), was a guiding force in his life and the lives of hundreds of other athletes as a longtime beloved football coach at Girard High School, and his mom, Glenna (BSEd ‘82) was an enthusiastic supporter.
But when Anthony was 18, just before starting college, his father died in an accident at football practice that left the entire community in mourning.
“That was a defining moment in my life,” he said. “I wasn’t sure where I was headed. But the people here; coaches, professors, mentors, helped me find my way.”
Those mentors included former Pitt State Head Coach Tim Beck and business professor Eric Harris, who helped guide him academically and professionally.
As a student, Crespino was hired as an athletics operations assistant.
After graduating, he built an extensive career in Division I athletics, serving in leadership and operations roles at programs including Penn State, TCU, and Northwestern where he met his wife, Joanna.
One of the most memorable moments came just before TCU played in the national championship.
“Dr. Harris emailed me and told me he was proud of me,” Crespino recalled. “That's why you go to Pittsburg State — if it wasn’t for him, and for the people who saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself, I would never have gotten to this point.”
That connection, and his connection to his family and the community, made him want to return home. He and Joanna have a daughter, Quinn, and are expecting a second daughter in April.
“When my wife and I started our family, we knew this was where we wanted to be,” he said. “This community, this university — it’s home.”
In 2024, he returned to Pitt State as associate athletic director for operations and special projects. He was promoted to senior associate athletic director and later deputy athletic director, overseeing day-to-day athletic operations and long-term strategic initiatives.
“It was always my dream to come back here, to Pitt State, at some point. I absolutely love it," he said. "There's always a new season to get excited about, each sport is different, there’s something to love about each one of them, and the community support here is like nowhere else."
In 2025, he was elevated to senior associate athletic director for operations and special projects, and then deputy athletic director — a role in which he has had oversight of all daily operational areas.
His new role as vice president for intercollegiate athletics will begin February 2.
He’s thankful that Johnson still will be on campus for advice.
“Jim has had an unbelievable tenure here, from developing our facilities to hiring the right coaches, and last year we had every team competing in the post-season for the first time, which is an incredible credit to him and what he’s helped those programs build,” Crespino said.
“For me, there is no greater honor to be chosen for his role. To be able to have the privilege and the trust to lead our athletic program is a dream come true,” he said. “I can’t thank Jim and Dr. Newsom enough for their belief in me.”
“At the end of the day, this is about people,” he said. “It’s about supporting our coaches, serving our student-athletes, giving our fans a great experience and making sure Pitt State continues to be a place where people feel connected, supported, and proud to be part of something bigger than themselves.”
