IRVING, Texas – The American Conference mourns the heart-breaking loss of assistant commissioner of communications Chuck Sullivan, who passed away Saturday evening after a long battle with melanoma. Sullivan was 54 years old.
 
One of the most well-respected communications professionals in collegiate athletics, Sullivan first joined the conference staff in August of 2007 as the Big East Conference’s director of communications. After the American’s reconstitution in 2013, he was promoted to assistant commissioner for communications in January of 2015 and has overseen the communications and external operations for the American and its 20 Division I sports. In addition to supporting the promotion of the American’s student-athletes and sports, Sullivan supervised and mentored dozens of communications and external relations professionals over his time with the conference office and previously at the institution level.
 
Commissioner Tim Pernetti noted, “We are heartbroken at the loss of our friend and colleague Chuck Sullivan. For 25 years, Chuck has been a deeply respected leader in collegiate athletics, and a remarkable husband and father. Chuck’s positive impact on the industry, the American Conference, student-athletes, coaches, and members of the media will always remain in our hearts. He will be truly missed and forever part of the American Conference family.”
 
A native of Stoughton, Massachusetts, Sullivan served on the media coordination staff for a multitude of College Football Playoff National Championship games, the NCAA Final Four and the BCS National Championship.
 
Before coming to the American, Sullivan spent time at all levels of the NCAA, including spells at Harvard from 2003-07, Bryant from 1999-2003, UMass Boston from 1995-99 and Princeton from 1993-95.
 
Sullivan’s award-winning career included numerous honors, including a Best In The Nation Award, three Best Cover Awards, three Second In The Nation Awards and three Third In The Nation Awards. He was an ex-officio member of the board of directors of the Football Writers Association of America, has served on the Academic All-America Committee of the College Sports Information Directors of America and has been a regular presenter and panelist at regional and national conventions.
 
Sullivan is survived by his wife, Renee, and sons, Orry and Owen.
 
Official Obituary - https://www.farleyfh.com/obituaries/charles-v-sullivan
 
GoFundMe Page - https://www.gofundme.com/f/donate-to-support-charlie-sullivans-family