Dr. Robert J. Dranoff was named the fifth Commissioner of the East Coast Conference in June 2008.

"The opportunity to return to a conference with which I am very familiar makes this a great fit," noted Dranoff upon his appointment. "Being part of the ECC is not only about providing championship opportunities, but it's also about creating and building community service and helping the student-athletes truly enjoy their collegiate experience."

Dranoff has been involved in college athletics in the New York metropolitan area for nearly 40 years. He began his career as Assistant Director of Athletics at St. John's University in 1978 before moving to the position of Director of Athletics at the State University of New York/College at Old Westbury from 1988 through 1992. He served as AD at Dowling College from 1992 to 2004. In recognition of his work at Dowling, he was inducted into the Dowling College Athletic Hall of Fame in 2009.

Following his tenure at Dowling, Dranoff moved to Suffolk County Community College where he held the title Assistant Dean of Student Services and Director of Athletics. While serving Suffolk, Dranoff has also served as the Men's Regional Director of the National Junior College Athletic Association Region XV and 18-institution regional athletic conference. He held those positions until 2008 when he was appointed Commissioner of the ECC.

During his time with the ECC, the conference has added championship events in Men's and Women's Soccer, Lacrosse, Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field as well as Women's Bowling and Esports. The ECC has been recognized for its work in the community through partnerships with the High School for Sport Management in Brooklyn, N.Y.; TEAM Impact, Make-A-Wish Foundation, and Special Olympics. In addition, the conference created leadership programming for student-athletes: (the annual Experience in Community and Character, and for female coaches and administrators (the annual ECC SWA program). The conference has also expanded its efforts to recognize achievements on the field, classroom and in the community through the development of the annual ECC Awards and Hall of Fame events. Dranoff has been involved in NCAA national service including the DII Championships and Management Council committees.

In addition to his work with the conference, Dranoff is active in the community with involvement in several organizations and instructs and presents to student and adult groups as well as college classes in the area of youth violence and bullying issues. He also is an adjunct professor in Sport Management at St. John's University and St. Joseph's College.

A 1978 graduate of St. John's University with a degree in Athletic Administration, Dranoff earned a Master of Science Degree concentrating in counselor education from St. John's in 1984 and his Doctorate in Education concentrating on Educational Administration from Dowling in 2006. He resides in Sayville, N.Y. with his wife Ann and has two daughters, Alexandra and Kathryn.