RPI Director of Athletics Robert F. Ducatte recently announced to the campus community that he would retire after having spent 34 years with the Institute. Ducatte will remain in his position until June 30.
"This is a position and a school that I feel passionately for," Ducatte said. "It’s hard to say goodbye. But, it’s time I moved on to the next
stage of my life."
During his 30-year tenure as athletics director, Ducatte helped facilitate the growth of the athletics department from 12 sports to the current 23 by adding 11 women’s intercollegiate varsity athletic teams.
He also helped to establish and coordinate the annual men’s hockey Big Red Freakout game, as well as the football team’s Transit Trophy game.
Ducatte was able to enjoy the success of the men’s hockey team in 1985, when they won the NCAA National Championship.
Ducatte, 64, joined the Rensselaer athletics faculty in 1967 as head coach of the basketball team and assistant coach of the football team.
He was named as RPI’s athletics director in 1971, succeeding Warren Lutes. Ducatte continued as the coach of the basketball team.
Additionally, he served as the golf coach from 1988 to 2001 and the head football coach from 1982 to 1983.
