Hartwick College Athletics

Ken Kutler spent 17 years as Hartwick’s Director of Athletics and chairman of the Department of Physical Education from 1986 to 2003. In addition, he served as ’Wick’s women’s soccer coach for 10 seasons (1986-1993, 2001-02) and is the program’s all-time leader in coaching victories with 103. Kutler piloted the program to five consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, including a pair of trips to the quarterfinal round. He also guided his teams to two ECAC Tournament berths, which included the 1992 ECAC title.

Administratively at Hartwick, Kutler was a staunch advocate for athletic program expansion, gender equity, and improved facilities. Under his tutelage, Hartwick’s Division I water polo program was created, as well as the equestrian, volleyball, and softball programs.

Kutler spent a total of 35 years as an athletic director at three institutions. He arrived at Hartwick from Frostburg State, where he served as A.D. from 1978 to 1986 and the men’s soccer coach for 17 years. Seven of his Bobcat teams made the NCAA Tournament and he was selected as the NSCAA Regional Coach of the Year on multiple occasions.

Following ’Wick, Kutler spent 10 years as the director of athletics at Ithaca College from 2003 to 2013. During his tenure overseeing athletics at IC, the Bombers captured two NCAA Championships and six individual NCAA titles. Ithaca finished in the top 30 of the Learfield Directors’ Cup and won the Empire 8 Commissioner’s Cup every year. At the time of his induction, Kutler was also a member of the East Stroudsburg and the Frostburg State Halls of Fame.