Q&A with Director of Athletics Jason Doviak

Recently Director of Athletics Jason Doviak reflected on his time at Alfred State for an article in the college's Alumni magazine. Doviak came to Alfred State in April of 2017 and has been integral in many improvements to the Pioneer athletic department. 

The 2020-21 school year is your fourth full year leading the Athletic Department at Alfred State. What have been some of the accomplishments you are most proud of thus far?

We have done a great deal of work over my time here. We have officially become an NCAA DIII member, joined the AMCC as a full member, and attained affiliate membership in the CSAC (track and field), and ECWC (wrestling). Numerous facility upgrades and renovations have been completed, including the Shay Family Hall of Fame Room, new track installation, new videoboard and protective netting at Pioneer Stadium, Pioneer Stadium locker room completion, fitness center upgrades, gym floor refinishing, sound system additions for baseball and softball fields, and new wrestling pads and competition mat.

During my time, we have also completed a branding project that included a new logo, rebranded facilities, website upgrading, window treatments, and windscreen. In competition, we had our first NCAA Qualifiers (Austin Miller in diving and Jacob Wadsworth in track and field) and had our first team, the women's swimming and diving team, win an AMCC Championship. The Special Olympic Track & Field Spectacular has been honored with a NADIIIAA Community Service Award twice and the department has been honored by the AMCC for civic engagement projects. My staff continues to be outstanding, with a mix of those who have been here for years along with some more recent hires. We also were awarded an NCAA grant that allowed us to hire Daniel Roberts as coordinator of event management and equipment services.

What are some goals that you have for the department in the next five years?

Ultimately, I would like to continue to improve our student-athletes' experience. I would also like to increase our overall student-athlete GPA, improve our student-athlete retention and graduation rate, fulfill our Major Gifts Campaign, and complete improvement projects for our facilities. Winning conference championships in multiple sports, finishing in the top three for the AMCC Presidents Cup, and strengthening the diversity and inclusion within our department are also key goals.

What facility improvements are on the wish list?

I would like to upgrade athletic facilities with projects such as replacing the stadium turf, upgrading the track throwing areas, adding turf to the baseball and softball fields, expanding the Orvis Gymnasium, renovating the pool area, and upgrading scoreboards.

What ways can alumni, friends, and families help the Athletic Department? 

We have redefined our annual fund (Pioneer Athletic Club). Contributions to the PAC allow our department to earmark these funds for wish list items for our programs. Ultimately, it provides our student-athletes with opportunities to acquire items for their sport that they would not be able to otherwise.

We are always interested in connecting with our alumni and friends, whether it be at a sporting event or simply visiting campus. Please let us know if you are planning to be in the area or interested in attending our sporting events. We would love to show you our facilities, talk to you about your experience at Alfred State, and entertain you in one of our hospitality areas.