Blackhawk Technical College has a new athletic director. Tony Cipollone was selected from a field of strong candidates to lead Talons athletics beginning with the 2026-27 school year. Cipollone starts his new role on Aug. 17.
The Pittsburgh native earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in education supervision from Baldwin Wallace College in Berea, Ohio. While attending college, Cipollone competed in football and wrestling; later, he served as an assistant coach for both programs.
Athletics to administration
After college, he became the head wrestling coach and defensive coordinator for Muskingum College in New Concord, Ohio–at 23, he was the youngest head coach in any level of NCAA wrestling. Next, he moved on to start the wrestling program at Mercyhurst College in Erie, Pennsylvania. He then moved into athletics administration, holding positions at Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania; Westlake City School District in Westlake, Ohio; and Cuyahoga Community College in Cleveland, Ohio.
Cipollone and his wife, Tiffany, relocated to Beloit two years ago. She began working at Beloit College, and he was hired as the first-ever director of sports sales and development at the Janesville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.
“Throughout my career, I've been fortunate to serve in a variety of leadership roles that have allowed me to build programs, develop people, and strengthen institutions through athletics,” Cipollone said. “Education has always been part of who I am. My father was a school principal, and my mother was a teacher, so I grew up understanding the impact educators can have on students' lives. I've always loved sports, but what has kept me in athletics is seeing the life lessons they teach—leadership, resilience, teamwork, accountability and perseverance.”
Blackhawk connection
His job in Janesville connected him with people at Blackhawk, and as he discussed collaboration opportunities and the possibility of adding wrestling at Blackhawk, the athletic director position opened up.
“It made me realize that the foundation had been established, and the opportunity to help shape the future of Blackhawk athletics was becoming very real. It felt like the right place at the right time,” Cipollone said.
His approach to athletics is straightforward.
“I believe athletes perform at their best when they love their sport, believe in their teammates, and trust their coaches,” Cipollone said. “Whether I'm coaching or serving as an athletic director, my goal is to help students become better athletes, better leaders, and better people.”
Cipollone and his wife have two grown children, Casey and Cael, and live in Beloit with Cael and their 3-year-old goldendoodle, Charli. They enjoy spending time with family, golfing, attending sporting events, and going to concerts and listening to live music.