By Connor Swanson
On any given day at Western New England University, you’ll find Jacob Dino at the heart of the action—setting up equipment, tracking live stats, and making sure every game, match, or meet runs smoothly. No matter the event, his energy and dedication to WNE athletics never waver.
Jacob Dino is the WNE athletics coordinator, a role that finds him at almost every Golden Bear game on campus. Whether he is launching t-shirts into the crowd at a championship game, entering stats for those watching from home, operating the ticket stand outside of each game, or sitting in the crowd cheering on our athletes, Dino brings energy and passion to every event.
His time at WNE started long before he took on this role with the Athletics Department. Dino was a student here, pursuing a bachelor’s in sports management while also minoring in finance. Dino added his minor during his sophomore year, crediting his hope to become an athletic director as the reason why.
“I was just talking with my dad about what was needed to become an athletic director, and we had done some research and saw that a lot of athletic directors had a master’s in finance,” said Dino. His minor in finance acted as a head start, hopefully helping him down the road.
As a student, Dino worked in several different positions. He began working part-time in the advancement department until he was able to take on a manager role with the men’s basketball team his senior year. This was his first position in athletics, but it opened the door for more opportunities.
“When I decided to come back to WNE for my master’s, I applied and ended up getting the grad assistant position for sports information and operations,” said Dino.
Dino graduated from WNE a second time in 2024, receiving his MBA. Shortly after, the athletics coordinator position opened, and Dino took his chance.
“When the position opened, I applied for it, went through the interview process, was offered the job, and started working in July,” said Dino.
Any job requires some adaptation, but Dino credits his time here as a student as something that greatly helped him transition into his first official job.
“It’s definitely helped already knowing the campus, knowing a lot of the employees, and having relationships with people across campus,” said Dino.
Each week, you can find Dino recording live stats during games, writing post-game recaps for our athletics page, and posting write-ups for our Golden Bear Athletes of the Week. Dino assists in running the social media pages for our teams and posting team-specific graphics before games.
“It’s a lot of work; you’re constantly over 40 hours a week and constantly working on weekends.” Dino continued, “But sometimes those can be the most fun moments because you are at the sporting events. For me, the thing I like most about my job is being able to see a team develop throughout a season. Watching them from game one to a conference championship, then into the NCAA tournament, is one of the best things about this job.”
The passion that Dino has for athletics is evident in everything he does, from coordinating game-day operations to supporting student-athletes.
“The energy is something I love about it, too,” Dino shared. “I don’t have many bad days because it’s always fun to watch games and see the teams do well.”
His enthusiasm not only enhances the experience for fans but also fosters a strong sense of community within WNE athletics.
Dino’s love of sports has led him to where he is today, providing him with outstanding opportunities. Alongside his work as the athletic coordinator, you can find Dino shouting out instructions to the WNE Women’s Swimming Team.
“I’ve always enjoyed coaching swimming.” Dino continued, “This year, when it was offered as an opportunity, I took it.”
Dino was an avid swimmer himself, swimming from age five through high school. Unfortunately, WNE does not have a men’s swimming team, so Dino was unable to pursue swimming here at the collegiate level, yet Dino hasn’t been phased.
Dino’s journey at Western New England University is a testament to his dedication, passion, and love for athletics. From his days as a student to his current role as athletics coordinator, he has remained deeply connected to the Golden Bear Community, bringing energy and enthusiasm to every event. His hard work behind the scenes ensures that student-athletes and fans alike will have the best possible experience. Whether he is recording game stats, coaching the women’s swim team, or engaging with the crowd, Dino’s impact on WNE athletics is undeniable. As he continues to grow in his career, one thing is certain – his commitment to sports and his alma mater will always shine through – and that’s a win for everyone.
