FICHTHORN NAMED SUNY COBLESKILL HEAD TRACK & FIELD COACH

SUNY Cobleskill Director of Athletics Kevin McCarthy announced today that Kutztown University of Pennsylvania Assistant Track & Field Coach Brad Fichthorn has been named to the position of Head Indoor/Outdoor Track & Field Coach. Fichthorn becomes the seventh head coach in program history succeeding Steve Patrick who accepted an academic instruction position with SUNY Cortland in June.

“Our program is coming off the most successful outdoor national men and women’s finishes in college history and with the elevation of our indoor program to a full-fledged varsity program this year it was vital for us to bring in a quality person,” said McCarthy. “Coach Fichthorn brings with him a wealth of experience as a former athlete and assistant coach. I think the program is in good hands and will continue to move forward.”

The new Fighting Tiger Head Coach is looking forward to his new job and what the future holds for the Cobleskill program.

“I was attracted to the position because it was an opportunity to come into a program that is well established and is already successful,” said Fichthorn. “We’re going to look to continue the success the program has had and to contend for conference, regional and national championships while continuing to bring quality student/athletes to Cobleskill.

The Reading, PA native was a three-sport performer in football, basketball and track & field for Governor Mifflin High School. He then attended and competed at NCAA Division II Kutztown University of Pennsylvania where he earned his degree in Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education/Social Studies. Fichthorn also earned All-ECAC honors in Indoor Track & Field competing in the 35-wieght. Upon the completion of his college career he joined the Golden Bear staff as an assistant coach in 2000.

Fitchborn spent the 2001 season as an assistant coach at NCAA Division I Georgia Southern University where he earned his Masters Degree in Sports Management and coached three throwers to All-Southern Conference honors. He returned to Kutztown University in 2002 to work with the program’s throwers and to aid in the Golden Bears’ recruiting efforts.

The Fighting Tigers are coming off a 2002 outdoor season which saw the men’s program place fifth and the women’s program place second at the NJCAA Division III National Championships. These were Cobleskill’s best respective NJCAA National Championship finishes in program history. Fighting Tiger athletes earned 11 NJCAA All-American Awards including four individual national champions.

In addition to his coaching duties Fichthorn will teach in the SUNY Cobleskill Physical Education program holding the rank of instructor.