DeFilippo was hired as director of athletics at Boston College in 1997. During his 15 years as athletics director, he led BC athletics to a period of unprecedented growth and success. DeFilippo’s stated goal of keeping the student-athlete at the heart of the program produced undeniable results under DeFilippo’s leadership, Boston College student-athletes’ achievements in the classroom were an immense source of pride for the university and its supporters. Year in and year out, BC student-athletes achieved some of the highest Graduation Success Rate (GSR) scores, consistently ranking in the top-10 in the country. DeFilippo undertook an impressive overhaul of BC’s athletics facilities that included new football practice facilities and new soccer, field hockey, and lacrosse stadiums on the BC campus.

In athletics competition, DeFilippo oversaw one of the most successful decades in Boston College athletics history. In 2012, the men’s ice hockey team won its third NCAA Championship in five seasons, its fourth since 2001 and fifth overall. The women’s hockey team returned to the Frozen Four in 2012, and the sailing team won 11 national team or individual titles in five years. In football, BC produced an unprecedented 12-straight winning teams (1990-2010), capturing 103 victories during that streak.

In recognition of his years of leadership and achievement in intercollegiate athletics, he was selected for enshrinement in the Boston College Varsity Club Hall of Fame in 2011, and the NACDA Hall of Fame in 2014.

This year, in recognition of all his accomplishments, he was selected by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) as the recipient of the 58thJames J. Corbett Memorial Award, the highest honor one can achieve in collegiate athletics administration.