Niagara University Athletics

Frank Fiannaca's passion for Niagara University has been evident since he first stepped foot on campus over three decades ago.
 
Fiannaca was a four-year starter in right field for the Purple Eagles baseball team from 1981-85, while also serving a four-year term in Niagara University Student Government. Fiannaca, who had a .300 batting average in each season, earned Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference (ECAC) First-Team North Atlantic Conference (NAC) honors as a junior, but he cemented his place in Niagara baseball history as a senior.
 
The Rochester, New York native set the program's single-season batting average record with a .469 average which he still holds today. Fiannaca, who started in all 31 games, went 46-for-98 at the plate including an 18-game hitting streak. The senior captain led the team with 25 RBIs and with 39 singles, and contributed 24 runs, four doubles and three triples.
 
He earned ECAC First-Team NAC honors for the second straight season, and was named to the ECAC Upstate New York/New Jersey Conference First Team and the ECAC Upstate New York All-Star team. Frank also received the 1985 Phil Scaffidi award which is presented to the Niagara University senior student-athlete who best exemplifies sportsmanship, spirit and determination.
 
After graduating with a bachelor of science degree in computer science, Frank worked for national payroll provider, Paychex, and in 1996, Frank and his wife Mary, started USA Payroll in New Jersey.
 
A Purple Eagle through and through, Fiannaca is currently the president of the Niagara University Alumni Association.