SUNY Cortland Athletics

A member of the National High School Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame, Donald Hartley ’58 has won a New York record 22 sectional titles and has equaled a record with six state championships as the varsity boys’ soccer coach at Red Creek Central School.

Hartley, who coached the team from 1959-91 and then returned to rebuild the program from 2001 to the present, has amassed a staggering 554-126-75 overall win-loss-tied mark that includes state titles in 1979, 1985, 1991, 2005, 2007 and 2008 and seven regional soccer crowns.

Recognized across the U.S. for his achievements, Hartley was named National High School Athletic Association “Coach of the Year” in 1978, the National Soccer Coaches Association (NSCA) Regional Coach of the Year in 1990 and the NSCA National Coach of the Year in 1991. Inducted into the Section V Hall of Fame in 1997, he has a brick in his honor at the Soccer Hall of Fame in Oneonta, N.Y. Twice honored at the New York State Capitol in Albany for his coaching excellence, Hartley was voted the 2008 Greater Rochester Soccer Coach of the Year.

Hartley, who began his career in 1958 at Red Creek as an elementary teacher, taught high school physical education for 21 years and was athletic director from 1972 until his retirement in 1992. He also coached varsity boys’ basketball (1960-79), golf (1987-91) and varsity girls’ basketball (1990-91). Including his soccer successes, his overall combined record at Red Creek is 801-237-75.

A native of North Rose, N.Y., Hartley competed in soccer all four years at Cortland, three as the varsity starting center defender. He also excelled at tennis, where he played every match for four seasons, including being defeated only once at third singles as a senior. He volunteered with the Men’s Athletic Association (MAA), was a student-player representative on the planning board for the new tennis courts and helped to organize Homecoming Weekend and Winter Carnival.

Hartley earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education and hygiene from SUNY Cortland in 1958 and a master’s degree from SUNY Oswego in 1964.

Within the Red Creek community, he organized a recreational program upon his arrival in 1958-59 and, over the years, has served on the Red Creek Revitalization Committee. He has been active within his church in the Men’s Club, Sunday school, as a trustee and with Toys-for-Tots. The Red Creek civic leaders declared Oct. 27, 1978, as Donald Hartley Day in honor of his service to the community youth.

UPDATE- March, 2015: Hartley continues to volunteer his service as an assistant soccer coach in Cincinnatus and caring for "Shut-ins" for MS.

UPDATE: Donald passed away on March 31, 2025, at age 88.