Posted: May 24, 2012
(Story courtesy of Centre College)
DANVILLE, Ky. - After nearly a quarter century of service at Centre College, Brian Chafin has announced his retirement. Chafin began his coaching career at Centre in 1989 and has served as director of athletics and recreation since 2002.
He leaves an impressive record that includes trips to NCAA championships in five different sports as both player and coach, and leadership of the Centre athletics program that has resulted in significant facilities improvements, success in all sports and the addition of men’s and women’s lacrosse.
Gina Nicoletti, a senior athletics administrator and a member
of the College’s staff as a coach since 1992, will serve as
interim director of athletics and recreation effective Sept. 1. The
College will conduct a national search for a permanent successor
for Chafin in the fall of 2012.
A native of Chappaqua, N.Y., Chafin earned a B.S. in physical education at Ithaca College, where he was captain of the men’s basketball team, and a master’s in educational administration at St. Lawrence University. Before arriving at Centre, he coached for 16 years at Clarkson University, leading winning programs in soccer, men’s and women’s basketball, and men’s tennis.
“Brian’s positive impact on the Centre athletics
program will be felt years into the future, and he can be proud of
his legacy,” said John A. Roush, president of Centre
College.
“That legacy includes his own achievements as a coach
and leadership that has transformed our facilities and put in place
the men and women who have enjoyed their own coaching
accomplishments,” added Roush. “Those who know Brian
and have followed his successful career will readily admit that he
has something of a Midas touch, borne of talent as much as hard
work.”
Chafin’s NCAA experience at the championship level began
in 1972, when he captained the Ithaca men’s basketball team
in postseason play. Eight years later, in 1980, and then again in
1988, he took the Clarkson men’s soccer team to the NCAA
championships. In 1989, Chafin traveled to Centre College for the
Final Four women’s basketball championships, coaching the
Golden Knights against the Lady Colonels.
Despite losing that contest, he was immediately impressed with
Centre College. So much so that later the same year he applied for
and was hired to coach men’s soccer. Chafin revived the
program, which eventually saw NCAA championship appearances in
1997, 1998 and 1999. He later assumed men’s and women’s
golf coaching duties and saw Chris Morris and Emily Bachert
represent Centre in 2009. In 2010 and 2011 both the men’s and
women’s teams competed in the NCAA tourney. Bachert twice
claimed the national runner-up position, in 2011 and 2012, and
Morris claimed the national championship in 2011.
In fact, since assuming the director’s role in 2002,
both team and individual postseason success has become almost
commonplace. Women’s soccer, men’s and women’s
cross country, men’s and women’s basketball,
men’s and women’s golf, and football have all
participated in NCAA postseason action. Men’s and
women’s swimmers and track athletes have also enjoyed
postseason competition, including four-time national long jump
champion Chrys Jones.
The most noticeable change in the athletics program under
Chafin’s leadership has been the renovation of Sutcliffe
Hall, which doubled in size with the addition of the
15,000-square-foot Hazelrigg Gymnasium and the Buck Fitness Center,
as well as upgraded offices and classrooms and the Hall of Fame
Cafe.
The athletics program will soon add its second turf field,
part of the south campus expansion that includes a multipurpose
playing field and softball field. The College dedicated Joe
McDaniel Field, a turf field at Farris Stadium, in 2011.
Asked what he’ll miss most after all these years,
Chafin, ever the coach and mentor, says it will be “seeing
young people enjoy what they’re doing and being
successful.” This attitude is informed by four decades of
involvement in Division III athletics, which he calls “the
purest form of college athletics.”
“D3 allows student-athletes to be involved in the total
college experience,” Chafin said. “Coaches train
athletes to be their best, but after practice and games they are
students who fold seamlessly back into the campus. Most important,
our student-athletes graduate as extremely well-rounded men and
women, able to meet individual challenges and work together as a
team.”
