JOINED: July 2026
LSU New Orleans Athletics Director Dr. Michael Giorlando has added another key piece to his executive staff with the addition of veteran collegiate athletics administrator Rob Bernardi as Associate Athletics Director for Internal Operations.
“We are excited to welcome Rob to the LSU New Orleans athletic administration team,” said Giorlando.
“His extensive experience as an intercollegiate athletics administrator, combined with his previous work in the Sun Belt Conference will provide tremendous support and leadership to our coaches and student-athletes.”
Bernardi returns to the Crescent City after a five year stay in Monroe where he served as the Deputy Athletics Director for External Operations at ULM from 2021-2026. During his time in northeastern Louisiana, he oversaw men’s and women’s basketball, golf, soccer, track and field as well as the Warhawks’ sports medicine staff and compliance office. He also oversaw all revenue generating units within the athletic department, including direct supervision of the corporate sponsorship program.
During his time in Monroe he revised the annual funds campaign, worked with the medical school to revise delivery and access to sports medicine, and designed and implemented a new structure for ULM’s athletics giving society. Before departing he was instrumental in ULM athletics signing a long term multi-media rights deal with Van Wagner.
Prior to his spell at ULM, Bernardi served as the Senior Associate Athletic Director across town at Tulane from 2016-2021. During his time uptown Bernardi oversaw six sports, including men’s basketball, as well as Tulane’s sports medicine and strength and conditioning programs.
In addition to supervising the day-to-day operations of the department, Rob was also a member of the American Athletic Conference’s Baseball Championship Committee and was part of “TACT”- the Tulane Athletic Care Team. As a member of TACT, he worked alongside a team of professionals to help Green Wave student-athletes meet both personal, and emotional challenges in a holistic manner.
Starting in 2001, Bernardi had a remarkable 15 year run as the Director of Athletics at Nicholls State culminating in being named the 2014 Under Armor FCS Athletic Director of the Year. During his time in Thibodaux, he increased annual athletic revenue by over $4 million, raised over $18 million to improve athletic facilities, and dramatically raised the graduation and APR rates of Colonel student-athletes and teams.
Rob negotiated a partnership with Nicholls Athletics and the Thibodaux Regional Medical Center for both sports medicine services and care of student-athletes - a partnership that still flourishes two decades later. He was also instrumental in the development of both the Colonels radio network, and televised coaching shows helping promote Colonel spirit around the bayou and creating an additional revenue stream for the department.
His lasting legacy in Thibodaux remains the Manning Passing Academy. Since 2005 the Manning Passing Academy has brought the nation’s best college quarterbacks to the Nicholls State campus to work alongside Archie, Eli and Peyton Manning in tutoring the next generation of high school talent.
He has served on numerous NCAA committees over the years including: the committee on Athletic Certification, the Football Championship Committee, the Football Issues Committee, the NCAA Div. I Academic, Eligibility and Compliance cabinet, the Div. I Interpretations Committee, the NCAA Leadership Council, and the NCAA Div. I Council.
Rob and his wife Linda have two daughters, Nadine and Jenna. They are the grandparents of Emma, Ethan and Elliott Hebert.
