John Semanik graduated from Drexel Institute of Technology in 1956. By the time he retired as Drexel’s Men’s Director of Athletics in 1991, his 29 years as director saw many changes at the University. Mr. Semanik was at the helm during the transition from the Middle Atlantic Conference to the East Coast Conference.
Mr. Semanik and the women’s director, Mrs. Semanik, oversaw the creation of the Physical Education Center which greatly improved the facilities to make Drexel competitive in the Division I NCAA Athletics. He oversaw numerous championships in both conferences including a bid to the NCAA’s for the 1972 soccer and 1986 for men’s basketball.