DELHI, N.Y. (August 31, 2020) - Our coaches have been nothing short of extraordinary during this adverse time that all colleges are facing with regards to athletics. While hopes of a championship are far from view, the determination to still provide students a welcoming, active experience this year has not left our coaches' eyes. SUNY Delhi Athletics celebrates our coaches with a new feature where we'll learn about our talented coaches in three phases: before, during, and after SUNY Delhi.
As SUNY Delhi's longest-tenured active coach, Men's & Women's Golf head coach Dave Arehart and his teams have secured many indelible marks over the last 22 years. He has led the men throughout his time at Delhi, navigating the program from the NJCAA, NAIA, USCAA, and now it's permanent home in the NCAA. Perhaps the team's biggest highlight in recent memory was coming back from an 11-stroke, day-one deficit to win the 2017 USCAA National Championship. The Broncos then opened their NCAA era by placing second at their first North Atlantic Conference (NAC) Championship in 2018 with Danny Christy capturing the individual title, followed by winning the team conference title in 2019. Arehart took over the women's golf program in 2018, sustaining the program's success entering its NCAA era. This was on full display when Alison Agoglia won the USCAA Women's National Championship in 2018.
BEFORE... Being from Maryland and coaching an NCAA team in Virginia when I accepted the golf professional position here 22 years ago, I had not previously heard of SUNY Delhi. At that time SUNY Delhi competed as a junior college in the NJCAA. My first look at the quality of the golf course, facilities, and students were during my initial interview for the position. A friend informed me how great the place was and upon visiting I could see the potential for personal and professional growth. I'm proud to have watched our programs and facilities grow along with my career.
DURING... The men's team has won conference championships in NJCAA, NAIA, & NCAA. We had multiple individuals qualify for the NJCAA national tournament and the NAIA national tournament. Although we were unable to accept a bid (as a provisional institution) we have also qualified an individual and most recently as a team for the NCAA national tournament. The men's team has won many, many invitational events from Maine to Florida and has earned a reputation as a very competitive team within the Northeast region. I am fairly new as the women's coach, however very excited to build a quality program. We experienced some success in our first NCAA season as a team and also individually. We have won some individual titles including a USCAA individual national championship.
AFTER... In golf the first rule is to leave the golf course better than you found it. It is my sincerest goal to leave both programs and our facilities in a strong position with bright futures. On the Men's side I would like to earn (and accept) a bid to the golf national championships. For the women, gaining membership into a quality conference and competing is a great starting spot.
