Posted: Jan 23, 2024
Celebrating 50 years of Division III athletics | former MASCAC and Salem State Athletic Director John Galaris
SALEM, Mass. -- For almost half a century, John Galaris '67 was a vital part of the Salem State community, first as an All-American basketball player, and later as the college's first full-time athletic director, a position he held for more than 20 years. As athletic director, Mr. Galaris was instrumental in expanding the department's exposure on campus, and the role college athletics would play within the state college system of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. He implemented many new practices that would be adopted by the other state colleges in Massachusetts. In 1982, Salem State became the first state college to hire full-time athletic coaches and administrators. Mr. Galaris created an endowment specifically for athletics and led a successful campaign to upgrade the facilities on campus. He helped expand the Sport and Movement Science program, and increased the number of varsity sports teams from 15 to 22. Under his leadership, Salem State won 112 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) championships.
He was also instrumental in promoting women's sports, culminating in the creation of post-season tournaments for women's athletic teams. His influence helped change the landscape of Division III athletics in Massachusetts and, in 1990, he began a seven-year stint as the third commissioner of the MASCAC. The conference, under his leadership, grew into a viable athletic organization, making an impact on college athletics within the region and nationally.
A 1967 graduate of Salem State, Mr. Galaris made his mark as the university's first-ever All-American, a feat he accomplished three times, and graduated as the school's all-time leading scorer, amassing 2,455 career points. He captained the basketball team in his senior year to an undefeated 24-0 regular season record and on to the New England State College Athletic Conference championship. During his four years the team amassed a record of 94 wins and 16 losses. He was also captain of the men's tennis team in his senior year.
Following graduation, Mr. Galaris played professional basketball in Greece for a year, and after a short stint as a public school teacher back in Salem, returned to Salem State in 1969, serving as the assistant director of the Campus Center and then as director from 1972 to 1981, receiving his MBA from Suffolk University in 1980. He later served on the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Association executive council, the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III Basketball Committee, as well as the Salem State Foundation, Inc., and its board of directors. In 2000 he was named executive director of athletics at Salem State, and held the position until his retirement in 2002.
Salem State annually awards the John D. Galaris award to its top male and female scholar-athletes, and an endowment fund created by the Galaris family supports a student-internship in Business Administration within the Athletics & Recreation Department.