NEW PALTZ, NY — A fixture on the SUNY New Paltz campus for the last 33 years, Alan Dunefsky has announced his retirement from the Department of Athletics, Recreation and Intramurals.
Dunefsky will however remain at The College, joining the Development team in July as an assistant for special projects. He will work on Foundation fund raising events, including the golf tournament and gala, and will organize alumni participation in the fall “landmark” reunions.
Dunefsky graduated from SUNY New Paltz in 1969 and earned a degree in biology. He was a member of the first varsity men’s volleyball team at SUNY New Paltz and played under the legendary Bill Odeneal. Dunefsky returned to the campus three years later to work in the Department of Recreation and pursue graduate work in biology. He began his coaching career at SUNY New Paltz in 1981 as the head women’s volleyball coach. In 11 seasons, he helped direct the Hawks to six New York State Women’s Collegiate Athletic Association (NYSWCAA) Tournament appearances. Two years later, Dunefsky took over the softball program and coached the team to the NYSWCAA Championship in 1988. He remained the softball coach until 1991. Dunefsky returned to the dugout in 1998 and would take over the program again in 2001 and remained the team’s head coach until the conclusion of the 2003 season.
Five of Dunefsky’s former student-athletes have been enshrined in the SUNY New Paltz Athletics Hall of Fame. They are Kathey Mahon Mulvihill, Michele Farro, Jacqui Pesa, Dr. Kelly Cassano and Christine Debiase.
The Department of Athletics will honor Dunefsky on June 2 with a dinner on campus. For more information about this event, please contact the Department of Athletics at (845) 257-3910.
