General | 1/26/2025 12:00:00 PM
UTICA, NY - After 13 years, 20 conference championships, 15 NCAA Tournament appearances, 65 All-Americans, and countless enhancements to facilities and traditions, Utica University Director of Athletics and Physical Education David Fontaine has announced his retirement from Utica Athletics with his last day being January 31, 2025.
Fontaine, a Utica alum, has spent the last 13 years leading the Pioneer Athletic Department in the role of Director of Athletics and Physical Education. The Utica native also spent 11 years at the University from 1989 through 2000, serving in a variety of roles including Director of Intramurals, Head Softball Coach, Home Event Manager, Compliance Director, Scheduling Coordinator, and Assistant Director of Athletics.
He served as the Empire 8 Vice President from 2017-21 and was featured as part of the
Empire 8's 25th Anniversary Legends series in 2023-24.
Fontaine, a graduate of nearby Notre Dame Junior Senior High School, was a four-year collegiate student athlete, captaining the Pioneer baseball team in his senior season and leading the team to an ECAC Upstate Co-Championship. He earned an associate's degree in liberal arts and sciences from Mohawk Valley Community College, a bachelor's degree in psychology from Utica College (now Utica University), and a master's degree in physical education, administration and management from Syracuse University.
Since his return to Pioneer Athletics in January of 2012, Fontaine has been at the forefront of several improvements and developments, including the addition of four intercollegiate programs to the athletics roster in women's golf, men's wrestling, women's wrestling, and women's gymnastics.
He has also led the charge to create, develop, and enhance athletic department operations, improving the department in many different facets. He was instrumental in the addition of many facilities upgrades, including the installation of a video scoreboard at Gaetano Stadium, upgrades to the university baseball field, Greenman softball field, and Miga Court, as well as the construction of the Todd and Jen Hutton Sports and Recreation Center, one of the premier indoor athletics facilities in the Northeast boasting 135,000 square feet of training space.
To learn more about Fontaine and his contributions to the Utica University Athletics Department, and his career in both athletics and business, follow this link:
Dave Fontaine '89
As his time as the head of the department comes to an end, Fontaine reflected on his favorite takeaways from his time as Director of Athletics, stating; "One of the best parts has been watching our students, coaches, and staff experience success. Having our student athletes compete for championships and achieve individual success has been very special. To be a small part of their journey is something I will always remember. I hope they know that they will always be part of the Utica family, and they will always be welcomed home here."
Speaking more about the success both he and the department have seen during his time with the Pioneers, Fontaine mentioned that he's very fortunate to have been at the helm for countless program-defining moments such as conference championships, NCAA Tournament appearances and victories, as well as high individual placements which featured some of the top finishes in the country for individual programs such as track and field. Beyond athletics, Fontaine was also very proud of the success that the department has found in the classroom, saying; "The success our student-athletes have had in the classroom is inspirational. Some of the GPA's that our student athletes have earned have been very impressive. The successful careers they have been able to pursue after Utica have been equally impressive."
Fontaine saw much growth and development during his time as Utica and listed a few of his favorite changes he's seen the department undergo, adding; "The growth in our facilities has been great. Adding one of the largest air-supported structures in North America on the campus of Utica University is something that I'll always be proud of. Also, adding Casamento Field, an additional outdoor turf facility with a track and field area has been a great addition for the department and the campus. Retired President Todd Hutton and retired AD Jim Spartano had a vision to grow enrollment on our campus through athletics. We have gone from a department of 12 or 13 teams to the 25 teams it is now. We're one of the largest athletic programs in the Empire 8 Conference, and I'm extremely grateful and thankful to have been a part of that growth."
Fontaine also expressed his sincere gratitude to all the people he's crossed paths with during his time at Utica University. He appreciates the support he has received from the athletic and university staff and administration, coaches, students, faculty, Board of Trustees and the Empire 8 Conference leadership and membership.
As his time at Utica University comes to a close, he spoke about what he's looking forward to as the department adapts to his exit and the legacy that he will leave behind, saying; "I'm very excited to see where the university goes from here. I think there's tremendous potential for continued growth. Utica Athletics and Utica University has tremendous upside and I'm looking forward to seeing how they grow and take it to the next level, whatever that may be."
A plan of succession will be discussed in the coming weeks, with the future of the department's leadership to be announced following that period.
ABOUT THE EMPIRE 8 CONFERENCE
The members of the Empire 8 Conference are committed first and foremost to the pursuit of academic excellence and the league is regarded as an outstanding NCAA Division III conference. The membership has distinguished itself among its peer group for its quality institutions, spirited and sportsmanlike competition, outstanding services and highly ethical policies and practices. Its commitment to serve the educational needs of its student-athletes is the hallmark of the E8. For more on the Empire 8 visit
www.empire8.com.
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