Spring Break
Pezzino Era Begins For UConn Golf
Chris Brodeur
Issue date: 9/12/07 Section: Sports
As the month of August drew to a close, so did one of the longest tenures in UConn athletics, as men's golf coach Ron Dubois stepped down after 29 years of service.
Dubois, who announced his retirement in June, took on a variety of administrative and coaching roles throughout his career and spent the last five seasons with the men's golf team in one of the most successful stretches any coach has had with the program.
The Huskies took home three tournament championships under coach Dubois, most notably the 2004 New England Fall Championship, a tournament UConn last won in 1982. In addition to the achievements of the team under his guidance, seven players were recognized individually for their play under Dubois.
A graduate of Providence College, Dubois' coaching days were preceded by a decorated stint with the U. S. Army, which began in 1953. Dubois served honorably in Vietnam and attained the rank of Colonel prior to his arrival in Storrs, where he headed the state of Connecticut's U.S. Army ROTC program.
In 1978, he joined UConn's athletics staff as an assistant coach for the men's ice hockey team. Beginning in 1984, Dubois served as associate director of the UConn Athletic Development fund and from 1987-88, he was the assistant athletic director for Facilities and Finance. Dubois was named associate director of athletics for Operations and Facilities in 1988 and it was in this role that he was largely responsible for UConn's ascension into the elite class of institutions for collegiate athletics. Dubois spearheaded projects like the construction of Gampel Pavillion and the Freitas Ice Forum as well as renovations to Morrone Stadium and the Greer Field House. He was named head coach of the men's golf team in 2002, where he spent the duration of his UConn career.
Dubois will be remembered for the military-like enthusiasm he brought to coaching and for the emphasis he put on academic performance with his players.
Dubois' successor as head coach of the men's golf program is North Haven native Dave Pezzino who brings 12 years of coaching experience at the collegiate level.
Dubois, who announced his retirement in June, took on a variety of administrative and coaching roles throughout his career and spent the last five seasons with the men's golf team in one of the most successful stretches any coach has had with the program.
The Huskies took home three tournament championships under coach Dubois, most notably the 2004 New England Fall Championship, a tournament UConn last won in 1982. In addition to the achievements of the team under his guidance, seven players were recognized individually for their play under Dubois.
A graduate of Providence College, Dubois' coaching days were preceded by a decorated stint with the U. S. Army, which began in 1953. Dubois served honorably in Vietnam and attained the rank of Colonel prior to his arrival in Storrs, where he headed the state of Connecticut's U.S. Army ROTC program.
In 1978, he joined UConn's athletics staff as an assistant coach for the men's ice hockey team. Beginning in 1984, Dubois served as associate director of the UConn Athletic Development fund and from 1987-88, he was the assistant athletic director for Facilities and Finance. Dubois was named associate director of athletics for Operations and Facilities in 1988 and it was in this role that he was largely responsible for UConn's ascension into the elite class of institutions for collegiate athletics. Dubois spearheaded projects like the construction of Gampel Pavillion and the Freitas Ice Forum as well as renovations to Morrone Stadium and the Greer Field House. He was named head coach of the men's golf team in 2002, where he spent the duration of his UConn career.
Dubois will be remembered for the military-like enthusiasm he brought to coaching and for the emphasis he put on academic performance with his players.
Dubois' successor as head coach of the men's golf program is North Haven native Dave Pezzino who brings 12 years of coaching experience at the collegiate level.
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