For the past four decades, Thomas P. Rogan ’67 has been a revered role model to Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC) physical education majors and student-athletes as a professor and a successful soccer and track and field head coach.
A native of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., Rogan was a record-setting long jumper and 440-yard hurdler as a four-year member of the SUNY Cortland track and field squad. He ran on the undefeated cross country squad that captured the state title and competed in nationals in 1965. In gymnastics, he competed on trampoline and long horse vaulting. In soccer, he played on the Cortland team that advanced to the 1966 NCAA Tournament.
As an undergraduate, Rogan was treasurer, vice president and president of the Men’s Athletic Association. He was a resident assistant in Hendrick Hall. He served as the emcee and halftime entertainer at the Dolphinotes shows. A Beta Phi Epsilon fraternity brother, he was the chaplain and social chairman and raised money for charities. He served on the Interfraternity Council.
After receiving his bachelor’s degree in physical education from SUNY Cortland, Rogan earned a master’s degree from Ball State University in 1968.
Rogan joined the HVCC faculty in 1968 and was quickly named coach of the men’s soccer squad. He remained in that role for the next 31 years, during which time he directed many All-American players and finished among the nation’s top ten teams on numerous occasions. In 1969, he organized the first track and field team at HVCC. As coach for the next 23 years, his teams enjoyed 11 undefeated seasons while capturing eight regional championships. In both sports, Rogan helped to organize a coaches association and served as an officer in the organization.
As a physical educator, Rogan developed and taught nearly a dozen major classes as well as activity classes at HVCC. He served on numerous departmental and college-wide committees. He created and still advises the Physical Education Majors Club. Since 2004, he has been the college supervisor for SUNY Cortland physical education majors who are student teaching in the Capital Region.
In 1996, he received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. Over the years, he has been named to many Who’s Who lists and has received Coach of the Year awards in both soccer and track and field.
During the late 1970s, Rogan was instrumental in bringing Special Olympics to HVCC and has served as a coach, presenter and host for many events at HVCC and statewide since then. In 2003, he traveled to Ireland to watch his daughter, whom he coached for 15 years, compete in the Special Olympics World Games.
He has raised funds to combat heart disease, cancer and cystic fibrosis as well as to support Big Brothers, Big Sisters and Boys and Girls Clubs. He is a parish council member and Eucharistic minister at Sacred Heart parish in Troy, N.Y. He helped to establish the Brunswick Soccer Club in 1982.
Rogan has competed in several Boston and New York Marathons, the Empire State Games, the 1995 World Track and Field Games, the Ironman Triathlons twice and, in 1996, won the World’s Greatest Athlete contest in Bermuda at the International Senior Games.
He and his wife, Susan McDonald Rogan ’67, have three children, Thomas ’92, Paul and Katie.
UPDATE- March, 2015: Rogan supervises student teachers from 2004 to present. In August of 2010, he published The Profession of Physical Education, Kendal Hunt Publishing, 1st Edition textbook for Physical Education Majors. In addition, to being a part owner of the Sportplex of Halfmoon. He volunteers his service at the Local and New York State Special Olympics and volunteers and participates in local fund raising activities.
