Stony Brook Athletics is saluting its Rita & Kurt Eppenstein Stony Brook Athletics Hall of Fame inductees with feature stories on Fridays through the end of the year. Here's the third installment, featuring Paul Dudzick '74.
STONY BROOK, N.Y. — Paul Dudzick '74 launched and coached the crew, women's cross country and women's tennis teams at Stony Brook. He also helped create the Stony Brook Athletics Hall of Fame.
Now, he is among those entering that esteemed hall.
Dudzick is a member of the Class of 2020 of the Rita & Kurt Eppenstein Athletics Hall of Fame. He joins Tommy Brenton, Michael Crooks, Bryan Dougher, Kathy Koshansky, Jenny Payne Simpkins and Aden Smith in the latest induction class.
Dudzick served as men's athletic director, NCAA compliance coordinator and associate professor in physical education during his three and a half decades at the university, from 1968 through 2003.
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"When I consider the honor of a Hall of Fame induction, I first think of my dad, who was inducted into the Canisius College Athletics Hall of Fame for two sports — basketball and softball," Dudzick said. "I can't help but feel that I've followed in his footsteps and how very proud he would have been today.
"My sport was not basketball. It was rowing. After seven years of high school, club and college rowing under, perhaps, 10 different and gifted coaches, it became my dream to be a rowing coach. I will be forever grateful to Stony Brook University for giving me that opportunity.
"Stony Brook rowing was never blessed with great water, secure facilities or unlimited funds for equipment. But we endured, had a few undefeated crews — the 1969 Freshmen 8, 1976 Varsity 4, and 1976 Varsity 8 — and a few shining moments of championship success. After crew was suspended in 1977, I was able to continue coaching student-athletes for a total of 19 years (crew 10 years, women's cross country six years, and women's tennis three years). I am very proud of the hundreds of student-athletes who came through these programs, learned life lessons through sports, earned degrees and became successful in their communities."
Dudzick's Hall of Fame nominators included John Ramsey, Frank Ross, Neil Prussman, Chris Haran, Sam Kornhauser, Brian Quirk and Sandy Weeden.
"In recent years a much greater effort has been made to identify worthy 'Pioneers' from the department for induction," Ramsey said. "It has been stated that our Pioneers have served a special role in linking the department's past to the present. In my opinion, Paul Dudzick is the one remaining staff Pioneer who stands above all others who have yet to be inducted for his leadership as an administrator in athletics, his outstanding contributions to the development of our athletic program and his effectiveness in coaching."
Said Prussman: "Paul was my crew coach from 1975 through 1979. I feel he inspired his charges, young men looking for leadership and direction. The few years I was under his tutelage and guidance have shaped me into the responsible upstanding citizen I am today. As in the Robin Williams' film 'Dead Poets Society,' the 'O Captain, My Captain' scene comes to mind. Boys paying homage and respect to an influential role model of a man."
Read about Hall of Fame inductee Tommy Brenton '12/'13
Read about Hall of Fame inductee Mike Crooks '06
