Union College has announced that Bob Montana, previously the Head Men’s Basketball Coach, will now be serving the institution as an Assistant Athletics Director.
"We appreciate Bob’s dedicated service to Union College," said Jim McLaughlin ’93, Director of Athletics. "We look forward to Bob serving the entire athletics department in a valuable role as an Assistant Athletics Director on the senior administrative team."
Montana has served the College for more than 30 years as a coach and administrator. He recorded 248 career victories at Union with a winning percentage of .560 in 17 seasons. A total of 14 of his 17 teams competed in the post-season. Montana is the second winningest coach in program history, behind Bill Scanlon (315). In addition to his coaching service, Montana has played a significant role in supporting the department’s intramural and recreational efforts, previously serving as the Director of Intramurals and Recreation.
"After being part of Union College Men’s Basketball for the past 30 years, the past 17 as the head coach, I have decided the time has come for someone else to lead the basketball program here at Union," said Montana. "This decision comes after much careful thought and yet with great confidence that it is the right decision.
"I would like to thank Jim McLaughlin for his support throughout his tenure and the opportunity to move in a different direction as an Assistant Athletics Director. I look forward to watching and assisting in the success of all of our Union student-athletes as well as maintaining the friendships that my association with Union Men’s Basketball has created.
"Being an active part of the men’s basketball program at Union College has given me many wonderful opportunities, the most important of all being the relationships that I have developed with so many fine young men who have played here," continued Montana. "The Union College Men’s Basketball Alumni are truly a very special group of people. Their on-court and real world successes pale in comparison to what truly good ‘people’ they are.
"I would be remiss if I didn’t thank Bill Scanlon for giving me the opportunity to be his assistant 31 years ago. Bill mentored me in how to teach and coach the game, and I got an opportunity to observe him coach with class for many years. I am also very thankful to Dick Sakala for giving me the chance to lead this program 17 years ago, and providing me an excellent opportunity and great professional experience."
The Dutchmen finished the 2012-13 season with a record of 20-6, posting the sixth 20 win season in program history since the first season in 1898-99. Montana has the historical significance of being the head coach of three of those six teams and also assisted on one other squad. Montana led Union to its most successful period in program history from 1998-2006, taking the Dutchmen to the post-season in all eight of those seasons, getting to the Liberty League Conference Championship game four of five years, winning it twice, while winning 137 games in that span.
During Montana’s tenure, the Dutchmen participated in the NCAA Division III National Championship Tournament twice and the ECAC Upstate New York postseason tournament five times. He was voted the UCAA’s Coach of the Year twice, in 1997-98 and 2001-02. In 2012-13 Montana, along with Assistant Coach Pete Durr, earned Liberty League (previously UCAA) Coaching Staff of the Year honors. His 2001-02 team tied the school record for wins with 21 on the way to the UCAA regular season and tournament titles. The 2001-02 team advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Montana also led the 2004-05 Dutchmen to the Liberty League Tournament Title and that team advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament.
Montana has the distinction of having coached two Jostens Finalists, Aaron Galletta ’02 and Keven Donohue ’13. The Jostens Trophy is a national award that honors an outstanding NCAA Division III men’s basketball player who excels on the floor, in the classroom and in the community.
Eight players recruited and coached by Montana scored 1,000 points or more and he has had the distinction of coaching the top two scorers in Union’s 116 year basketball history. Galletta, a second team All-American, graduated as the college’s all-time leading scorer in 2002 with 1,949 points and four years later was replaced as all-time leading scorer by John Cagianello, who had scored 2,006 points when he graduated in 2006.
Assistant Coach Pete Durr will conduct the day-to-day operations for men’s basketball while a national search is conducted.
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