Dave Wohlhueter, one of the legends in the collegiate sports information field, will step down as the director of sports communications at Cornell, it was announced March 25 by Charles H. Moore, director of athletics. After 21 years of publicizing Cornell sports teams, Wohlhueter will leave his position July 17.
"For the past 33 years, sports information has been my life, for it's meant working seven days a week during the academic calendar," Wohlhueter said. "It's been a terrific occupation for me because it means so much to see athletes, coaches and support staff all working together as a team toward a common goal. I've seen so many athletic events over the years and got paid for doing what I loved, but now it's time to branch out and become involved in other endeavors. I plan to stay in Ithaca, and I'm sure I'll be active in athletics in one way or another.
"I want to thank the people at Ithaca College who gave me my start in the sports information field, the many friends and colleagues who nurtured me along during my tenure at Bucknell, the wonderful people here at Cornell who have made me a part of the Big Red family for the past 21 years and the hundreds of acquaintances I have made through my work in the College Sports Information Directors of America organization," Wohlhueter said.
"While I am sorry that Dave has decided to step down, I'm also happy for him in that he'll have time to do some things he's really wanted to do," Moore said. "Dave Wohlhueter is a true professional in every sense of the word. He's been an outstanding and tireless worker for Cornell athletics and everyone affiliated with the department will miss him."
Wohlhueter has been director of sports communications at Cornell since July 1977, after serving in the same capacity at Bucknell from 1967 to '77 and Ithaca College for two years, 1965 to '67.
In the summer of 1992, he was presented with the annual Arch Ward Award by the College Sports Information Directors of America. Wohlhueter served on the CoSIDA board of directors for two years prior to taking over the treasurer's post in 1977, a position he will continue to hold. He was elected into the CoSIDA Hall of Fame in 1986 and the Ithaca College Sports Hall of Fame in 1987.
"Dave and I have worked together for most of our sports information careers," said Fred Nuesch, assistant athletic director for media relations at Texas A&M-Kingsville and CoSIDA secretary. "Dave is one of the most efficient and thorough professionals I've ever had the opportunity to work with. From our years as fellow SIDs to the 20-plus years we've worked together as CoSIDA officers, I've always found working with Dave Wohlhueter to be a very rewarding experience."
A native of Colden, N.Y., Wohlhueter graduated from Ithaca College in 1960 with a bachelor of science degree in television-radio broadcasting. Upon graduation, he served as sports director and advertising representative for radio station WDOS in Oneonta, before beginning his career in sports information.
In his tenure as an SID, Wohlhueter has received more than 20 national awards for outstanding publications. His 1969 Bucknell football brochure was selected as the best college division book in the country. In 1984-85, his Cornell men's hockey brochure was chosen as the finest in the nation.
In addition to numerous professional awards, Wohlhueter received the Ben Mintz/Cornell Media Award in 1987.
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