Iona University Announces 2023 Trustees Scholarship Award Gala Honorees

Iona University will honor distinguished alumni and community leaders as part of its annual Trustees Scholarship Award Gala on Friday, April 21, 2023. The event will take place at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City. This year’s honorees include business and community leaders who have contributed to the success of Iona University in various ways over the years.

Proceeds from the Trustees Scholarship Award Gala will support student scholarships. For more information and to purchase tickets, e-journal ads and other sponsorship opportunities, visit https://www.ionaconnection.com/ScholarshipGala.

This year, the Iona Legacy Award will be presented to Jerome C. Cifarelli ’77, ANC Sports Enterprises chairman and founder, and Daniel F. Doyle ’93, ’95MBA, an accomplished executive in the fintech and credit card industry. This honor is bestowed upon exceptional individuals in recognition of their lifetime accomplishments and commitment to Iona.

The V Foundation for Cancer Research, founded by ESPN broadcaster and legendary Iona basketball coach Jim Valvano, and the Valvano Family will be recognized with the Blessed Edmund Rice Humanitarian Award. The award recognizes those who, by their activities and service to others, have reinforced Iona’s identity as a University founded in the tradition of the Christian Brothers and American Catholic higher education. It is named after Blessed Edmund Rice, founder of the Christian Brothers.

“Iona is blessed to have such distinguished alumni who continue to champion our mission and believe in the importance of giving back to support the next generation,” said Iona President Seamus Carey, Ph.D. “On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I would like to congratulate Jerry, Dan and the Valvano Family, and thank them for their dedication to Iona.” 

Jerome C. Cifarelli ’77 has spent more than 40 years in marketing and advertising sales, including 30 years in the sports marketing industry.

A true visionary, he became intrigued by the potential of rotational signage emerging in the sports industry and in 1991, he helped establish the Madrid-based signage company, Dorna, in the United States. He rose to become president and chief executive officer of Dorna USA.

Jerry went on to play a prominent role in the adoption of digital signage in sports, notably placing rotational signage on the majority of National Basketball Association courts and introducing the concept to Major League Baseball.

After successfully steering the sale of Dorna USA, Jerry founded ANC Sports in partnership with well-known former sports executives, including Alan N. Cohen, whose initials contributed to the company name. Beginning with the New York Yankees and the then-brand-new WNBA, Jerry began building a brand that would go on to transform the sports marketing industry. Read Jerry’s full bio here.

Jerry holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing from Iona University. He is a longtime resident of Rye.

Daniel F. Doyle ’93,’95 MBA is an accomplished executive with over 25 years in the fintech and credit card industry. Dan was principle and president of CardWorks Acquiring since May 2008 before exiting in February 2022 to become part of Blackstone’s Fintech (Tactical Opportunities) Portfolio Company.

Dan was an executive at American Express for almost 11 years, spending time in both Establishment Services and Corporate Services in various leadership positions. Dan is widely respected for his knowledge and leadership in the fintech space.

Dan has served on several advisory boards in the fintech, banking and cybersecurity fields. He also enjoys contributing his time and resources toward numerous charitable and educational organizations that enhance his local communities.

Dan holds a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Iona University.

The V Foundation for Cancer Research was founded by ESPN and legendary basketball coach Jim Valvano with one goal in mind: to achieve Victory Over Cancer®.