Ed Townsend | Democrat Roscoe's "Coach", Fred Ahart, will be honored early in 2014, when the Roscoe Central Scool names its gymnasium in his honor.

Roscoe to unveil Coach Fred Ahart gymnasium

Story by Ed Townsend
ROSCOE — November 19, 2013 — Athletic accomplishments are honored in many ways and on Saturday, January 4 Roscoe “Coach” Fred Ahart will receive one of the highest sports honors given a coach when the Roscoe Central School (RCS) names its gymnasium the “Coach” Fred Ahart Gymnasium.
The committee organizing the Fred Ahart Dedication Ceremony noted, “he didn’t do this by himself...he did this with all of your support.”
As the late Sullivan County Democrat Sports Editor Rob Potter wrote several years ago Ahart is, “the man known simply and affectionately as ‘Coach’ in the Roscoe community.”
Ahart is easily recognized today as one of the most outstanding and highly respected coaches in not only Section IX but throughout New York State.
During his 45 years at Roscoe, “Coach” Fred has done it all and then some. His resume includes: RCS athletic director; football, basketball and track coach; Saturday rec and summer rec supervisor; dean of students; member of the faculty advisers to the National Honor Society, Basketball Officials assigner; co-chairman of the Section IX boys’ basketball Committee; Section IX representative to the New York State Public High School Athletic Association’s Basketball Committee; chairman of the Section IX Eligibility Committee and Section IX Athletic Council.
He has been honored as athletic director of the year in 1993; football Coach of Year in 1999, and in 2010, he was inducted into the New York State Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame.
Ahart has indeed been a mentor to many athletes and students as well as the father of five and soon to be the grandfather of 14.
The 66-year-old Ahart has served RCS under the leadership of 16 superintendents and was hired by William Jones to teach physical education/health and be the basketball coach.
Mr. Jones, in interviewing Ahart, said he was looking for a basketball coach and Fred’s answer was “then I am your man.”
Ahart’s athletic accomplishments include two Western Sullivan League football championships in 1989 and 1990; two division championships in 1989 and 1990; one regional championship in 1990; five Western Sullivan Basketball championships 1984, 85, 86, 89, 98; three Section IX championships 1984, 86, 98; a state semifinal win (1986) in his only trip to the state tournament.
The biggest changes for Ahart in his time at RCS came in 2002 when the “little gym” where he’d spent 33 years of his career became an auditorium and the school opened a modern, full-sized gymnasium for the next generation of athletes.
Ahart has also helped direct Roscoe’s recent sports mergers with Livingston Manor (which ended in 2012) and now Downsville for football, soccer, girls’ basketball, modified girls’ basketball, baseball, softball, golf and cross country.
The only Roscoe sport that has not merged is boys’ basketball.
Ahart graduated from Ithaca College in 1969 with a physical education degree and picked the small rural school district in Northwestern Sullivan County because, in addition to being head of the athletic department he could immediately get into coaching.
The January 4 ceremony starts with a 1 p.m. tour of Roscoe’s new facilities followed by the actual gymnasium dedication at 2 p.m.
At 3:30 p.m., there will be a formal ceremony at the Rockland House.
For additional information, please contact Debbie Henrickson at 607-498-5329 or email mystic1992@aol.com or Becky Ahart at 607-498-4341 or email rahart@roscoe.k12.ny.us