A new era begins for NSU Athletics

By Bella Giaquinto •

 

Athletics is moving in a new direction.

As of August, Athletics merged with Enrollment Management and Student Affairs, John Sung was promoted to interim director of Athletics, and Robert ‘Bubba’ Baroniel was promoted to assistant athletic  director of Athletic External Affairs. The promotions follow the August resignation of Athletic Director and Associate Vice President Michael Mominey, who began his career at NSU in 2000.

“When you think about it, college sports and watching our athletes compete are a big part of the ‘entertainment business’ that we can enjoy here at NSU. It’s especially entertaining when we win, and our NSU Sharks are true winners and champions we can all rally behind,” said Harry Moon, NSU president-elect, in an email to The Current. “I look forward to another inspiring championship season with even greater collaborations between Athletics, Student Affairs, Admissions, Alumni Relations, and all of ‘1 NSU’ in the year ahead.”

 

John Sung

Sung looks forward to working in athletics as the new interim director.

“I’m really thankful for Dr. Brad Williams, Dr. Moon, and Dr. Hanbury for granting me this opportunity,” Sung said. “I’m really hoping to take NSU athletics into the next era.”

Since joining NSU athletics in April 2023, Sung has been instrumental in elevating the external operations department by leading fundraising, athletic communications, revenue generation, sponsorships and marketing.

“I was able to bring a lot of really great ideas and enhance our student-athlete experience,” Sung said.

Sung focused on creating a vibrant and inclusive environment for student-athletes, students, faculty and the broader NSU community.

“What I implement is how to create a great environment for our student-athletes and our students and faculty and kind of the whole NSU community,” Sung said. “I really think we’ve done a great job of making it an opportunity for people to go out and enjoy the great athletics here and then feel connected to the people that you’re supporting.”

As interim director of athletics, Sung’s vision for the department is centered around building a strong brand and creating a sense of pride among the university community. He aims to make the Sharks a recognizable and respected name in collegiate athletics.

“I want that when students walk around the UC or any place that I see them that they’ve got Shark pride and they’re wearing our Mako,” Sung said. “I want our Shark to be the most noticeable Shark.”

Sung’s rise through the ranks of collegiate athletics has been marked by a consistent dedication to both sports and its athletes.

Native to Troy, Michigan, Sung’s playing days included tennis, golf, hockey and lacrosse, which ultimately laid the foundation for his future career.

“I got into my high school years and really just focused on playing lacrosse, so that was my main sport and then I just had an opportunity to go from playing it to coaching it,” Sung said.

Sung has worked within athletic departments at all levels of the NCAA, having serving as the head Women’s Lacrosse coach at Adrian (MI.) (2007-11), Winthrop (SC.) (2011-16), Virginia Tech (2016-21) and Carthage (WI.) (2021-2023).

“I was able to leave every coaching spot as the winningest coach, which I think is kind of a cool thing,” Sung said.

As Sung steps into his new position as interim director of athletics, he is dedicated to leaving a lasting legacy at NSU.

“My legacy is to be someone that led from the front, someone that works through examples, that really cares for the student-athlete and really cares for the department and the community,” Sung said.

 

Robert ‘Bubba’ Baroniel

Robert ‘Bubba’ Baroniel, manager of revenue generation and 2015 NSU baseball alumnus, has been promoted to assistant director of Athletic External Affairs, following the promotion of John Sung to interim director of Athletics.

“The timing just happened to work out where opportunities opened up, and luckily I did a good job of doing some pretty cool things while I’ve been here at NSU,” Baroniel said.

Since returning to NSU in 2021 as manager of revenue generation, Baroniel has implemented and evolved all aspects of fundraising, marketing, ticketing and special events for the department. His and his team’s efforts have led to a 150% increase in corporate partnerships and a 30% growth in special event fundraising, with fan attendance and ticket revenue both rising by 22% in 2023-24.

“Our special events are grossing and netting more every year,” Baroniel said, a trend he hopes to continue in his new role.

His ambitious goal for the year is to help NSU athletics raise $1.5 million in revenue, with a net target of $1 million—a significant increase from the approximately $600,000 currently generated.

Baroniel’s primary responsibility in his new position is to foster relationships with businesses, alumni and donors to support NSU’s athletic programs and enhance fan engagement.

A native of Miami, Baroniel’s connection to NSU runs deep. As a first-generation college student from a Cuban family, he arrived at NSU in 2011 to play baseball. Baroniel went on to captain the team to a conference championship in his senior year, the only team in NSU baseball history to do so.

Graduating with a degree in exercise science in 2015, Baroniel took on various roles, including serving as a graduate assistant at the University of Missouri, an intern with the University of Miami’s football program, and a sports information director at Lynn University. Each role helped him develop a comprehensive understanding of athletic administration.

“I’ve been in academics, a little bit of compliance, facilities, communications, marketing—you name it,” Baroniel said. “Now, I’ve found a really good lane to settle in and try to grow.”

Baroniel’s return to NSU in 2021 was more than just a career move.

“This place is my home. This is where my family started,” Baroniel said, referring to his wife, a former NSU soccer player, whom he met on campus as an undergraduate. They now have two children.

Baroniel’s deep-rooted connection to NSU drives his dedication to the department and its future.

“I want to leave behind a legacy of increased engagement, stronger relationships and more support for our student-athletes,” he said. “This is where I belong, and I want to help this place be the best it can be.”