New Paltz Athletics, Wellness and Recreation Director Stuart Robinson Ends 28-Year Tenure with the Hawks
New Paltz Sports Information Department
NEW PALTZ, N.Y. — After 28 years, State University of New York at New Paltz Director of Athletics, Wellness and Recreation Stuart Robinson will be stepping down from his position at the College and will become the new assistant vice president/director of athletics, intramural's and recreation at New York University, effective Aug. 3.
Robinson became the Hawks' ninth director of athletics in school history in 2001 after spending 15 seasons as the head coach of the men's soccer program at SUNY New Paltz. He also served three years as an assistant director and three more years as the associate director from 1997-2000.
In his 15 seasons at the helm of the men's soccer program, Robinson boasted a record of 96-177-9 — the most wins in program history, while coaching five National Soccer Coaches Association of American (NSCAA) All-Region honorees, 24 All-SUNYAC selections and a 2003 SUNYAC Player of the Year Mario Lavacca. 
During his tenure as Director of Athletics, Wellness and Recreation, Robinson oversaw 23 conference champions, including 20 SUNYAC titles with the men's volleyball program capturing two NCAA National Championships in 2016 and 2019 — the first national team titles in school history — along with seeing two individual national champions in swimming (Michelle Coombs '08 and Cooper Knapp '18).
Additionally, Robinson oversaw the construction of the 57,000-square-foot Athletic and Wellness Center, which was built in 2006, the North Turf Field with the addition of a quarter-mile outdoor track, and the South Turf Field during the 2014-2015 academic year, along with renovations to the North Tennis Courts, Loren Campbell Memorial Baseball Field and the relocation of Mary Gray Deanne Softball Field.
Robinson was active within both the NCAA and SUNYAC. He was a member of the NCAA Division III Championship Committee and the NCAA Division III Committee on infractions. He served as the Chair of the Scheduling Committee, as well as on the Finance and the Constitution Committee for SUNYAC. He served as the SUNYAC Governing Body Chair from 2015-2017, and from 1999-2003 was a member of the NCAA Soccer Rules Committee. Robinson was also the SUNYAC president from 2007-2008, served as member of the Student-Athlete Reinstatement Committee from 2003-2007 and spoke at the NCAA DIII New AD Orientation Program since 2017.
Hawks women's volleyball coach Matt Giufre was named the interim director of athletics, wellness and recreation effective August 1. Men's volleyball coach Radu Petrus will coach the women's volleyball program this fall as Giufre oversees the Department.
Giufre has been at the helm of the women's volleyball program at SUNY New Paltz for 18 seasons, guiding the Hawks to unprecedented success during his tenure. He boasts a record of 461-210 with the most wins in program history, to go along with three SUNYAC titles, the most recent coming in 2018, six NCAA Tournament appearances and earned SUNYAC Coach of the Year honors five times.
SUNY New Paltz will hold a search for a permanent athletic director next spring for the 2021-2022 academic school year.
