Former Raider comes home as track and field coach
By: Rudy Brandl
Dave deWolfe hopes to bring a blend of many positive elements back home as he takes over as Hillsborough High’s new head boys’ track and field coach.
The former Raider standout distance runner, who graduated in 1998 after a productive cross country and track career, obviously understands the sport. He values the school’s great track and field tradition, one that he helped begin about a decade ago. He prides himself on discipline, the one key element that helped him succeed as an athlete.
Now, as the new head man, he is striving for the great Raider tradition to continue and flourish well into the future.
"I’m definitely excited and honored to be able to come back and get this position," the 26-year-old deWolfe said. "I was contributing in cross country and winter track as an assistant coach so I got to know the kids and the intricacies of the program."
The sport and program has changed somewhat since deWolfe’s running days. He was a part of the school’s first indoor track and field team in 1997-98. That squad started a seven-year championship streak in the Skyland Conference meet.
"Numbers of track athletes are up, especially in winter track," deWolfe said. "The numbers in Hillsborough and throughout the state have risen. The level of athlete at Hillsborough has definitely increased with the numbers and all the great coaches."
This is the first head coaching position for deWolfe, who began pursuing the job after the departure of former head coach Seth Canata. deWolfe spent the last two spring seasons as an assistant coach in Long Island. He’s in his first year as a general substitute teacher at HHS but is certified to teach high school mathematics.
deWolfe feels comfortable in Hillsborough, where he and his family moved prior to his freshman year. He enjoyed a great career at Stony Brook University that included several school records and MVP awards.
Now, deWolfe is back home where his running career began.
"It gives me confidence but there’s also more at stake," deWolfe said. "It’s my team now. I’m more excited to come coach here than anywhere else."
Still a very young coach, deWolfe will be able to relate to the high school kids. He’ll be disciplined, but wants to build relationships with his athletes.
"I was very disciplined in my approach as a runner and I plan to be very disciplined with the athletes," he said. "I like to get personal with the athletes. I like to set goals for each of them. I want to be like a close friend or a brother."
Ten years ago, deWolfe was the school’s top distance runner. Now, he has the opportunity to coach a team of standouts. Hillsborough returns many talented athletes to the track and field this spring. The new head coach is thrilled to be in charge.
"Put all that together, I couldn’t be anything but excited," deWolfe said. "A team like this makes things a lot smoother. I want to bring this team to an even higher level. I definitely see this as the school I went to and where I competed. I’d like to coach here until I retire."

