CORTLAND, N.Y.- The State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) is proud to announce that former Plattsburgh State Athletic Director Bruce Delventhal will be honored at the conference's annual awards banquet in May. Mr. Delventhal will be awarded with the Dr. Patrick R. Damore Distinguished Service Award. This accolade is the highest honor bestowed by the SUNYAC.
When he retired in 2016, Bruce Delventhal closed out a storied career in athletics. He came to Plattsburgh in 2006 with hopes to strengthen the school's athletic programs and truly succeeded. With Bruce at the helm, the Cardinals enjoyed success across all of their varsity sports, competing in 46 NCAA championships and winning four national championships in women's hockey. His tenure also saw the grade-point average of student athletes rise higher than that of the general student population.
Delventhal was integral in the creation of the Friends of Plattsburgh State Athletics, a fundraising endeavor to improve athletic facilities at the college. This program garnered enough support to fund a $2.1 million renovation of the Ronald B. Stafford Ice Arena and the addition of bleachers and a press box for the college's baseball field.
As a testament to Bruce's superior capabilities as Athletic Director, Plattsburgh President John Ettling said "one of the great pleasures of my job over the last ten years has been working with Bruce...he has led a superb coaching staff in a manner to make any college president proud." Bryan Hartman, Vice President for Student Affairs, stated that "Bruce set the tone for the entire department in terms of serving the local community."
Delventhal's diligence and support of student-athlete affairs, the Plattsburgh community and the conference was incredibly impactful. The SUNYAC is excited to award him for his contributions to the conference on May 15 in Liverpool, N.Y.
The Dr. Patrick R. Damore Distinguished Service Award was created in 1980 to recognize someone that has given ten or more years of service to the SUNYAC. Since its inception, thirty-three decorated individuals have been honored for their tireless efforts within the conference. The last award winner from 2015, Linda Case, served as the Athletic Director for Brockport from 1995-2010.
