He's seen it all, and he's done it all. Steve DiTolla, the Dean of Cal State Fullerton Athletics will officially retire as Senior Associate Athletic Director and Chief Operating Officer just as soon as the multi-million-dollar Baseball and Softball construction project is completed to his satisfaction. Presumably in January, 2022.
Commenting on the importance of the project, DiTolla said: "(It) ranks right up there with the construction of the sports complex that opened in 1992. The nice thing about this project is that when it is completed, everything will be done. The University funded the entire project with student fees, and we're not relying on fundraised dollars to finish it. This project will have such a positive impact on recruiting for our two most nationally competitive programs.
A graduate, and former collegiate baseball player at the University of Arizona, DiTolla came to CSUF in 1985 after stints with the University of Colorado and Denver Nuggets. When asked why he chose Cal State Fullerton, DiTolla replied: "Titan Athletics was and still is filled with opportunity. Cal State Fullerton can win conference championships in any sport and can compete on a national level in many others. Fullerton is located in the second-largest media market in the country with a great climate, and has an abundance of talent right in its own backyard."
DiTolla continued: "(But) the main thing that brought me to Fullerton was the people. Over the years, Titan Athletics has had world-class coaches and student-athletes who have believed success was possible, despite not having the same resources as some of its competitors."
To say that DiTolla has worn many hats inside the environs of Titan House would be a major understatement. In addition to overseeing events marketing, ticket sales, brand marketing, and promotions, DiTolla was at one time the sports supervisor for Baseball, Football, Men's Basketball, Women's Basketball, Men's Soccer, Women's Soccer, and Men's and Women's Cross Country and Track & Field.
He has accompanied the Titans on twelve trips to the College Baseball World Series in Omaha, Nebraska, with Fullerton winning a National Championship in 2004.
As if that wasn't enough to keep him busy, DiTolla has overseen nearly every athletics facility improvement project including the recently-built strength and conditioning center and golf practice facility. He was responsible for the facelift in historic Titan Gym, in addition to all of the upgrades, including state-of-the art scoreboards, in Titan Stadium, Goodwin Field, Anderson Family Field, Titan Track & Field Complex, and the Titan Tennis Courts.
DiTolla has been at CSUF Athletics for two different stints: From 1985 to 1992, then from 2001 to the present. Steve even had a short term in 1991 as the Interim Athletics Director, where he was instrumental in hiring back Baseball head coach Augie Garrido and then associate head coach George Horton.
After working in the private sector for nearly eight years as the vice president of Jammin' Sports Apparel in Anaheim, DiTolla came back with some practical lessons learned. "It gave me a different perspective of how intercollegiate athletics was viewed in the 'real world.' It taught me how lucky I have been to work in the field of education and having the opportunity to impact young people's lives on a daily basis.
The successes of the various Titan sports teams during DiTolla's tenure are far too numerous to mention. When asked about some personal highlights, Steve listed, "Going to postseason in numerous sports, especially winning national championships were fantastic. However, Men's Basketball's upsets of UNLV in a sold-out Titan Gym, along with winning Baseball Super Regionals on our campus were pretty special. Also, I have to pinch myself when I think about being able to visit the President of the United States (George W. Bush) at the White House with the Baseball team.
When asked to list student-athletes, coaches, and administrators who were instrumental or struck a chord during his tenure, the list was unsurprisingly long: "Every student-athlete that has worn the Titan orange and blue has been significant, because they're the reason we GET to come to work.
"I have had the pleasure of working with four pioneers in intercollegiate athletics: Augie Garrido (3-time national champion Head Coach in Baseball at CSUF), Judi Garman (national champion Softball head coach), Ken Ravizza (nationally known Sports Psychologist), and Julie Max (nationally known Head Athletics Trainer). They all blazed a trail that had a national impact in their areas of expertise."
DiTolla further mentioned, "Jim Donovan's leadership, with the support of University President Fram Virjee, First Lady Julie Virjee, and Vice President Tonatzin Oseguera have solidified the infrastructure of Titan Athletics to the point that the Titans won the Big West Conference Commissioners Cup in 2018-19. This could not have been done without the vision of former-President Mildred Garcia, and former-Vice President Berenecea Johnson Eanes, along with the courage of student leaders Rohullah Latif and Johnny Leggett, who championed the Student Success Initiative that supports Titan Athletics.
"Cal State Fullerton has been blessed to have had numerous outstanding coaches such as Augie Garrido (Baseball), Judi Garman (Softball), George Horton (Baseball), Lynn Rogers (W. Gymnastics), Dick Wolfe (M. Gymnastics), Gene Murphy (Football), Dr. Maryalyce Jeremiah (W. Basketball and Administration), Jeff Harada (W. Basketball), Heizaburo Okawa (Fencing), Al Mistri (M&W Soccer), George Kuntz (M. Soccer), Demian Brown (W. Soccer), Ali Khosroshahin (W. Soccer), John Elders (M&W Track and Cross Country), Dedrique Taylor (M. Basketball), Bob Burton (M. Basketball), Kelly Ford (Softball), Michelle Gromacki (Softball), Dave Serrano (Baseball), Larry Cochell (Baseball), Rick Vanderhook (Baseball), Jason Drotter (M. Golf), Dan Lewis (Wrestling), Julie Bowse (W. Gymnastics), and Carolyn Zimmerman (Volleyball). I also have to include my buddy and long-time colleague, Mel Franks (Sport Information Director).
DiTolla, along with former Athletics Director Brian Quinn were key figures in the establishment of the Titan Athletics Hall of Fame in 2005, and assisted with Athletics fundraising for over 20 years.
When asked about his greatest personal accomplishments while at Cal State Fullerton, DiTolla answered: "On the field I have helped to hire and taken five head coaches to the College World Series in Omaha (Garrido, Cochell, Horton, Serrano, and Vanderhook). Off the field I have helped to develop the 'Brand' for Titan Athletics. Having a style guide in place, an all-school contract with Nike, and the new ESPN+ studio on campus has allowed Cal State Fullerton Athletics to be a national brand and have a look it can be proud of.
Steve, and his wife, Gail, live in Placentia, and can be seen at many Titan sporting events. He has two sons, Justin and Brandon, and three stepsons, Kyle, Brandon and Chad. Gail and Steve are the proud grandparents of Scotlyn, Piper, Zackary, Hannah, and Hailey.
Don't look for Steve DiTolla to be wrapped in a shawl and sitting in a rocking chair anytime soon. He has been a long-time high school football assistant coach working with the varsity defensive backs. He currently assists at Yorba Linda High School.
DiTolla is also a very active member of the Fullerton South Rotary Club, where served as President in 2005-06.
Steve's day-to-day presence on campus will surely be missed, but we have a pretty strong feeling that we'll still be seeing him around.