Athletics Staff

Donald M. Dutcher, Director of Athletics

Since Donald Dutcher's arrival at Herkimer County Community College in 2004, the athletic program has emerged as one of the top junior college athletic programs in the country. In his 4 years as director, Herkimer has won eight national championships ten regional championships and six NJCAA Academic Teams of the Year. Also the College placed second nationally among non-scholarship Division III community college athletic programs in the NATYCAA Cup Award (2008). Herkimer earned third place finishes in the NATYCAA Cup in 2006 and 2007. As a member of the Mountain Valley Conference, Herkimer also finished third in the Region III Directors Cup in 2007-2008. Both awards are given annually to recognize overall athletic program excellence at the national and regional levels.

In supporting the mission of the College, Dutcher is committed to providing students a quality athletic experience as an integral and valued component of their total educational experience. Under Dutcher's leadership, Herkimer's student-athletes have continued to excel in the classroom. In 2007-08, Herkimer earned two NJCAA Academic Team of the Year award and 12 Academic All-Region awards. Additionally, 10 student-athletes were named Academic All-Americans, 5 were named Distinguished All-Americans and 3 received the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Student Athlete Excellence.

Dutcher took over as director just as Wehrum Stadium opened as one of the premier community college athletic venues in the nation. Since its opening in July 2005, Wehrum Stadium has hosted many national and regional soccer and lacrosse tournaments and high school contests, as well as all HCCC home soccer and lacrosse games. Under Dutcher's leadership, the operation of Wehrum Stadium has been very successful. Other achievements have included the implementation of the Green and Gold Club and numerous improvements to the College's athletic website, including an emphasis on updated information, media guides, photos and photo albums.

Dutcher serves as president of the Mountain Valley Conference (elected August 2005), chair of the Region III Softball Committee, He is also a member of the Region III Standards and Ethics, Women's Basketball, Women's Soccer, Swimming, Track & Field (I&O), and Men's Lacrosse Committees. He also chairs the Herkimer County Community College Intercollegiate Athletic Council. In 2008 he was selected to be a member of the Leadership Mohawk Valley.

Dutcher previously was a teacher; soccer, basketball and baseball coach; and athletic director at Poland Central School. Prior to that, he taught at Herkimer High School and coached men's and women's soccer, basketball, track and tennis. He was named Mohawk Valley Coach of the Year in 2004 for leading Poland Central's basketball team to the State Final Four. In 2003, he was inducted into the SUNYIT Hall of Fame as recognition for his athletic accomplishments.

A 1990 graduate of Herkimer County Community College, Dutcher was the all-time leading scorer for the HCCC men's soccer team, an honor which he held for six years. He was a member of the first-ever team to make the national tournament, and received All-Region honors both years. He earned bachelor's degrees from SUNYIT, where he was also the all-time leading scorer for the soccer team, and SUC at Oswego. He also holds a master's degree and Certificate of Advanced Study from SUC at Cortland.

A native of Poland, NY, Dutcher is a 1988 graduate of Poland Central School. He and his wife, Julie, live in Deerfield with their sons, Jordan and Jesse.