For over 30 years, BKW Golf Coach Don Dennis has been a coach, mentor and leader for the district’s golf program. Recently, Mr. Dennis reached the 350 win milestone as a coach. Currently, the boys’ golf team has a record of 5 wins to 8 losses, as they approach the Western Athletic Conference Golf Championship on Tuesday, Oct. 4 at Fox Run Golf Course in Johnstown, NY.
“We are incredibly proud of Coach Dennis for reaching this important milestone,’ said BKW Athletic Director Tom Galvin. “In today’s athletic landscape, this is an incredible achievement, but it’s not just a coaching accomplishment. Each year, Coach Dennis has engaged with our student-athletes to make them better students, citizens and athletes. We are fortunate to have him on our staff, and more importantly, to have him continue to pass on his knowledge to today’s students.”
We sat down with Coach Dennis to find out what the milestone means to him, his influence on the program and how he has impacted student-athletes experiences in the game of golf.
After 30 years coaching, how do you view your experiences at BKW?
Well, I started coaching at BKW in 1980 after coaching soccer in Guilderland for three years under legendary coach Don Snyder. So, that’s a total of 46 years of coaching. I started the golf program at BKW in 1985.
Loving sports my whole life, I have thoroughly enjoyed and continue to love coaching kids. I feel that it helped my relationships with students in the classroom and they saw me as someone other than the guy that taught math classes. Also, coming to teach, coach and live in this community was the best move I ever made. It also allowed me to teach my own three daughters and watch them watch them mature from kindergarten to graduation – very special!
What important reminders do you offer your student-athletes?
At the start of every season, regardless of what sport I was coaching, I always told my kids that they were students first and athletes second – – just as I’m a teacher first and a coach second. I also remind them to try their hardest and have fun. Remember, it’s just a game and the most important word is respect – respect for yourself, your teammates, your coaches, opposing players and coaches and the officials.
What does the 350 win plateau mean to you?
350 is a nice number and it represents many wonderful years of teaching some terrific kids the great game of golf! This win total also makes me think about all the kids that have contributed to our program. Those student-athletes made it possible and I’ve been blessed!
Finally, how has high school sports changed over the course of your career?
One of the biggest changes that I’ve noticed is how early kids start playing organized sports and how serious and competitive they have become. When I started coaching, modified sports were just getting started and now they’re starting in second grade. I think there’s too much pressure for some kids to specialize in just one particular sport all year long.
On the flip side, I admire kids who are playing two sports in one season and how they are learning time management skills to ensure they are keeping their grades up. It’s also positive to see the health and safety initiatives put in place for today’s athletes, such as first aid/CPR, concussion protocol, heat index etc… It’s also exciting to see both girls and boys competing at a high level.
Lastly, there have been many sports added for kids to choose from since I started coaching at BKW. From golf, bowling and wrestling to football and swimming. I also think the campus buildings and athletic fields make our district look, and feel, amazing for today’s students.
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