COBLESKILL’S FICHTHORN NAMED NJCAA MEN’S TRACK & FIELD
COACH-OF-THE- YEAR

SUNY Cobleskill men’s track & field coach Brad Fichthorn has been named the 2005 NJCAA Division III National Coach-of-the-Year by the NJCAA National Coaches Association. The third-year Fighting Tiger Head Coach led his men’s program to a third place finish in a field of 19 teams at the 2005 NJCAA Division III Outdoor National Track & Field Championships in Delhi, NY this season.

The third place finish represented Cobleskill’s best finish at the national championship meet in program history and the team’s overall score of 76 total points also represents a new program record for the Fighting Tigers. Under Fichthorn’s tutelage senior Robert Keizer, Manhasset, NY, Manhasset High School, earned NJCAA All-American honors by winning the national championship in the Triple Jump, 44.43 meters, freshman Greg Farley, Babylon, NY, Babylon High School, earned All-American honors by winning the national championship in the Decathlon establishing a new program record with 5694 points and freshman Jon Slegona, Ellenville, NY, Ellenville High School, earned NJCAA All-American honors in the Hammer Throw placing second in the event with a program record toss of 48.60 meters. During Fichthorn’s tenure, Fighting Tiger male athletes have earned five NJCAA All-American honors and won three NJCAA Individual National Championships.

“It’s an honor being recognized for all of the hard work of the men’s team and my coaching staff has done this season,” said the Fighting Tiger Head Coach. “This is something that our team deserves credit for because they competed above and beyond expectations this year and even though I get the award it is something that they deserve all the credit and recognition for this achievement.”

Under Fichthorn the women’s outdoor track & field program also had an outstanding meet posting a team score of 121 points to place second in a field of 17 teams at the national meet. The second place finish equals the best finish at the national event in program history, matching the 2002 team’s second place finish, and the 121 point total establishes a new program mark for most team points scored at the NJCAA National Championships. The Fighting Tigers brought home six NJCAA All-American honors and four National Championship performances in the competition.