Pat Damore, 90, was Fredonia State & SUNYAC legend
Fredonia Sports Information Department
FREDONIA, N.Y. -- Dr. Patrick Damore, a longtime Fredonia State athletics coach, administrator, and former conference commissioner, passed away Sunday, May 23, at the age of 90.
Dr. Damore was a member of the college's coaching staff, teaching faculty, and athletic administration for 29 years. He served as commissioner of the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) for 33 years.
"Pat was a great guy ... and then some!," said Greg Prechtl, the former Fredonia State men's basketball coach and Dr. Damore's successor as Fredonia State director of athletics. "The face of Fredonia State Athletics and the State University of New York Athletic Conference for nearly four decades, Pat strengthened both organizations. helping them achieve national prominence. Appreciated in athletic circles for his wisdom, sound guidance, and soft touch, he was warmly welcomed by colleagues at all levels across the country.
"On a personal level, I considered The Commissioner my mentor, best friend, and role model for how someone should approach life. An icon in athletics, he was committed to his family, to his community, and to all those with whom he interacted. I cared deeply for Pat. We have all lost a great man."
Current SUNYAC Commissioner Tom DiCamillo lauded Dr. Damore as an administrator and person.
"Pat Damore was a pioneer and a leader among not just the SUNYAC athletic administrators, but among the Division III Commissioners," Mr. DiCamillo said. "Any time I would go to Fredonia, I would meet Pat and Greg Prechtl at the Bob Evans for breakfast, and I would ask him to share stories about the history of the conference. He was a genuine human being and just a really nice person, and every time we met he would say that the conference was in great hands and I was doing a great job – that meant more to me than he would ever know."
SUNYAC Athletic Directors shared their fond memories of Pat.
Oneonta Director of Athletics, Tracey Ranieri said,"Pat Damore was the essence of SUNYAC. He devoted his life to assuring student-athletes had an unforgettable college sporting experience by leading and supporting SUNY athletic administrators. His vision paved the way for countless advances and championships over five decades. His positive influence changed the trajectory of my own career-he was a mentor, confidant, and the kindest and most humble giant in the business."
"Pat Damore was a true class act in every sense of the word," said Mike Urtz, Cortland's Director of Athletics. "He was also one of the kindest men you could ever come across. He will be truly missed."
The Director of Athletics at Brockport, Erick Hart said, "No one cared and believed in the SUNYAC as much as Pat Damore. If it was his license plate that read SUNYAC 1 or the conference meetings, Pat made all us feel like we were part of something special in the SUNYAC. Everyone had a voice in his meetings and he treated every person like family. Pat was a special person and someone I have always looked up to in my career."
Mike Mooney, Geneseo's Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreation shared his first memories of Pat, "My introduction to Dr. Damore was as a student-athlete representing the University of Buffalo in the SUNYAC title game back in 1981 when he was the Commissioner. His first thought was always about SUNYAC and each conference school. He pushed for the inclusion of women in the conference and the development of the brand SUNYAC. But what I will always remember him for is his ability to be a mentor to me when I was a young coach, assistant director, associate director and director. In working with him he also became a good friend. Even in retirement he would still stay in touch. He will be missed because he was the leader and developer of the SUNYAC brand. Thank you Pat you will always be remembered with honor and integrity."
A 1952 graduate of Brockport State, Dr. Damore's long and distinguished career in athletics began at Hammond Central High School where he served as a coach and athletic director. He moved to the collegiate ranks in 1956 when he hired as an assistant professor and coach at Fredonia State. He coached Blue Devil men's soccer, men's basketball, and men's tennis and served as athletic director from 1968 until 1985 before becoming the first commissioner of the SUNYAC, part-time beginning in 1979 and full-time starting in 1985. When he retired on June 30, 2012, he was the longest-serving NCAA conference commissioner in the nation.
Dr. Damore also served as president of the Intercollegiate Soccer Association of America, president of the College Division Commissioner's Association, and founded the National Intercollegiate Soccer Rating System in 1968. He received the NCAA Division III Commissioner's Association Meritorious Service Award in 2003, the ECAC James Lynah Award for Distinguished Achievement in 2003, the SUNYAC Distinguished Service Award in 1983 (which has been renamed The Patrick R. Damore Distinguished Service Award), and The Bill Jeffrey Award in 1979 for contributions to national collegiate soccer.
On active duty with the United States Navy during the Korean conflict, he was a member of the U.S. Naval Reserve from 1947 through 1983 and was a recipient of the Naval Commendation Medal.
Dr. Damore is a member of the Fredonia State Athletics Hall of Fame, the Chautauqua County Sports Hall of Fame, the National Association of Collegiate Director of Athletics Hall of Fame, and the Brockport State Athletic Hall of Fame. He served on the Fredonia State Hall of Fame committee from its founding in 1986 through 2018, serving as chairman for several years. He was inducted as a coach and administrator in 1990 and his 1959 men's soccer team -- the inaugural season of the sport -- was honored as a Team of Distinction in 2018.
In addition to a bachelor's degree in Health and Physical Education from Brockport, he earned a master's degree in Secondary School Education from St Lawrence University in 1956, and a doctorate in Higher Education and Administration from the University of Oklahoma in 1971.
Arrangements are by the Larson-Timko Funeral Home at 20 Central Ave., Fredonia.
