Herkimer Generals are Named #1 Two-Year College Athletic Program in the Nation

NATYCAA Cup

For the first time in the history of Herkimer College, the Herkimer Generals athletic program has won the National Alliance of Two Year College Athletic Administrators (NATYCAA) Cup, ranking Herkimer first in the nation among NJCAA non-scholarship programs. Herkimer also won third place in the NCAA Learfield Sports Directors Cup. Both programs recognize excellence in two-year colleges, based on athletic success in championship competition.

Herkimer has finished in the top five of the NATYCAA Cup since its inception 10 years ago. This was the first time Herkimer College took the top spot, ending a three-year stint by Gloucester County College (NJ). The Generals amassed 151 points to the Roadrunners’ 139.5. Teams contributing points are as follows:

Men's Soccer – National Championship - 20 points
Softball – second place in the NJCAA World Series- 19 points
Baseball – third place in the NJCAA World Series- 18 points
Men's Track and Field - 16 points
Women's Track and Field - 15 points
Men's Basketball - 14 points
Women's Bowling - 13 points
Women's Cross Country - 13 points
Women's Swimming - 12 points
Men's Cross Country - 11 points

Herkimer's Athletic Director Donald Dutcher said, “I am extremely proud of our program. This award has been a goal of ours since 2004. To be the best, you have to surround yourself with the best, and I feel we truly have that here at Herkimer -- our coaches, student athletes, professors, administration and staff. It is a total institutional effort. There is no better feeling than to be the #1 junior college athletic program in the country.“

Interim President Nicholas Laino said, “I commend Don Dutcher and the entire athletic department for their hard work and vision to create an outstanding nationally-recognized athletic program and provide our student athletes with a premier two-year college experience.”

The NATYCAA is the professional organization of two year college athletic administrators dedicated to the continuing growth and development of two-year college athletics and the individuals involved through an exchange of information, monitoring of legislation, promotion of academic excellence, increasing communication between organizations, and encouraging a high degree of integrity in all endeavors.