Photo of Dave Fontaine from Utica University Athletics.

After 13 years as athletic director, and 24 total years with Utica University, David Fontaine will retire on Jan. 31. 

“It’s been great, it’s been an honor to lead and manage the department at my alma mater and work with so many talented staff and coaches,” Fontaine said.

During Fontaine’s time at Utica University he has played a large role in developing and enhancing the resources that Utica provides their student-athletes. He took pride in establishing educational and athletic goals for the program with the implementation of a comprehensive student-athlete handbook and the roster management plan. Fontaine also led the charge in projects such as the implementation of a video scoreboard at Gaetano Stadium, the construction of Casamento Field, and the construction of the Todd and Jen Hutton Sports and Recreation Center, which is one of the largest air supported structures in North America. 

Along with Fontaine’s fundamental and structural improvements came success for Utica’s sports programs. Fontaine has seen 20 conference championships, 15 appearances in the NCAA tournament including three “Sweet Sixteen” appearances, four quarter final appearances and two final four appearances, along with countless individual awards.  

Fontaine said being a part of these accomplishments has been exciting, but he also pointed out the academic success that the student athletes have had during his time here. 

“The GPAs that our student-athletes have produced, so impressive, and the careers that they have gone on to have, again, very impressive,” he said. “I’m proud to have been a very small part of that.” 

The most rewarding part of his job has been seeing students, coaches and staff succeed.

“Watching our student athletes compete for championships has been a lot of fun,” he said. “But the best part of my role is seeing people grow, develop, and graduate from here and then remember Utica as a place that they were very fond of.”

Some of Fontaine’s best memories stem from seeing his former players and students become successful.

“Early on in my career I coached softball for six years,” he said. “And to hear from my former players and to see how  they’ve grown and succeeded and now have families and kids of their own that are now going to college, those are really memories that I am blessed to have.” 

Fontaine credits the success and development that he has seen throughout the years to the team effort from the staff at Utica. From the program’s deal with Nike, to the construction of new facilities, Fontaine said the entire staff is responsible for the university’s success.

“Anything we do in this department is not solely me,” he said. “ It’s truly several people who pitch in, there are so many people to thank because you can’t do it by yourself, it’s too big of a role to go in alone.”

Along with crediting coaches and staff for the program’s success, Fontaine acknowledged the student athletes for all of the work that they have done.

“There is only so much coaches and staff can do,” he said. “At the end of the day, student-athletes have to go out and produce, certainly the coaches and staff give guidance, but at the end of the day, it’s the athletes that go out and get it done.” 

Many who worked closely with Fontaine said they will miss him and appreciate the support he offered throughout the years. 

“Dave believed in me and gave me my first opportunity to be a head coach and grow within the profession,” Utica men’s basketball Head Coach Sean Coffey said. “For that, I will forever be grateful.”

Utica softball head coach Rinae Olsen said Fontaine has been fair, thoughtful and caring and has always supported the staff through difficult times.

“Personally, I am crushed that Dave is leaving the university. He has been a tremendous administrator, leader, mentor and supporter of all athletic programs,” she said. “As much as our staff and teams will miss him, we are happy for him and wish him the very best during his next chapter.”

Fontaine said that he is very appreciative of his years at Utica, and is grateful for the memories that he has made.

“I want to thank President Hutton for taking a chance on me and hiring me. I want to thank Jim Spartano for being a mentor and I want to thank all of the people that I’ve worked with over these last 13 years. I just want to say thank you.”

President Todd Pfannestiel said that he is in the middle of discussions and hopes to be in the position to announce the new Athletic Director by the end of the week.