Aug. 5, 2002
EASTON, Pa. (www.lafayette.edu) -
Jim Hutnik, a 1978 graduate of Lafayette College, has been named head coach of the Lafayette golf program, it was announced on Monday by Director of Athletics Bruce McCutcheon. Hutnik resigned as Bethlehem Catholic's golf coach, but will remain head coach of the high school's men's basketball squad.
In his nine years at Bethlehem Catholic, Hutnik has guided the golf team to two East Penn League Championships, while earning Coach of the Year honors in 1999. Bethlehem Catholic finished the 2001 season with a 16-3 record.
As head coach of the basketball team, Hutnik has compiled a career record of 157-88 including nine consecutive winning seasons. He led his team to five appearances in the district championship, winning the title twice. Hutnik was voted Coach of the Year four times and was nominated for Pennsylvania's Coach of the Year in 1998.
"For many reasons it means a lot to Lafayette to have an alum and a former member of the golf team as the program's newest head coach," McCutcheon said. "I believe Jim will provide solid leadership and stability to our golf program and help it return to prominence."
Prior to his stint at Bethlehem Catholic, Hutnik coached the Allentown College men's basketball squad, where he tallied an 88-70 career mark over six seasons. He coached the team to its first Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference championship and its first 20-win season. He is the only coach to have a career winning record in the program's history.
While at Allentown, Hutnik also served as head golf coach, assistant baseball coach and athletic recruiting coordinator.
Hutnik spent six years as an assistant basketball coach at the University of Maine (1981-87) following one season at Brandeis University where he was an assistant coach of the baseball and men's basketball teams. He also spent two years as the junior varsity basketball coach at Lafayette from 1978-1980.
"I'm excited that I have the opportunity to get back to coaching at the college level," Hutnik said. "The Lehigh Valley and Lafayette have always been special to me and it's nice to come back to a place where I participated in the sport that I'm coaching."
Hutnik received his bachelor of arts degree in history from Lafayette in 1978 and was a member of the Leopards' golf team. He currently teaches American Government and U.S. and World History at Bethlehem Catholic High School.
A native of Easton, Hutnik is the sixth coach of the Lafayette golf program and replaces John Brown who spent two seasons as head coach of the Leopards.