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A 1968 graduate of Manhattan College, Byrnes
enters his 23rd year as director of athletics.
Since his arrival back to Riverdale in May of
1988, Byrnes has presided over a renaissance
period in Manhattan College athletics. During his
tenure, the men’s and women’s basketball programs
have earned eight NCAA Tournament bids
(four women, four men). Additionally, the Jaspers
have appeared in five postseason and preseason
National Invitational Tournaments (NIT). Women’s
soccer and men’s and women’s lacrosse began
competition at the Division I level under Byrnes,
and 14 different teams have won conference
championships-men’s and women’s cross country,
men’s and women’s indoor track, men’s and women’s
outdoor track, men’s and women’s basketball,
men’s and women’s lacrosse, volleyball, men’s
tennis, softball and baseball. In addition, to date, 26
student-athletes have received All-America honors
for both athletic and academic achievements.
Before returning to Manhattan, Byrnes spent 13
years with the Morrison-Knudsen Company, one
of the largest engineering and construction firms in
the nation.
A native of Garrison, New York, Byrnes earned
his undergraduate degree in physical education
with a minor in biology. He also holds an M.B.A.
from City University in Seattle, Washington.
As an undergraduate, Byrnes was a member of
the Jaspers’ club football team. Byrnes served as
team captain and played both defensive tackle and
offensive end. He spent one season as an assistant
coach and helped guide Manhattan to a 6-2 overall
record in 1969.
Upon graduation, Byrnes began a teaching and
coaching career at Queen of Peace High School in
North Arlington, New Jersey. He also served as the
school’s director of athletics from 1970-73. Under
his leadership, Queen of Peace registered state
tournament appearances in baseball and basketball,
while also capturing the Parochial “B” State
Championship in football (1972).
In addition to his responsibilities at Manhattan,
Byrnes served two stints (1997-99, 2004-06)
as president of the Metropolitan Intercollegiate
Basketball Association, at one time the sponsoring
body of the NIT. He also served on the NCAA
Championship Committee in 1999-2000. He is
currently the chair of the Metro Atlantic Athletic
Conference (MAAC) Men’s Basketball Committee
and the Committee on Athletic Administration, as
well as a member of the ECAC Officials Negotiating
Committee. In recognition of his years of outstanding
contributions to Jasper athletics, Byrnes was
inducted into the Manhattan College Athletic Hall of
Fame in 2004.
Byrnes resides in Croton-on-Hudson, New York,
along with his wife, Rosemary. He is the father of
five children: Bob, Carolyn (Manhattan ’97), Brian
(Manhattan ’99), Darren and Brigid.
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