Kane Earns Wells College Award For Excellence

AURORA, N.Y. – Assistant Athletics Director and Head Men’s Soccer Coach Dan Kane was one of four Wells College employees to receive an Award for Excellence at the institution’s annual Employee Recognition Breakfast last Friday. Kane is the first member of the Department of Athletics to receive the exclusive award and was one of only four recipients in 2014.

Serving the College’s student-athletes as their Acting Athletics Director from January to August 2014, Kane was rewarded for his “loyalty, grace, innovation and enthusiasm” during the department’s transition between directors. Wells College President Dr. Thomas E.J. de Witt lauded Kane’s efforts in leading the department and its staff for an extended period while juggling the birth of his child, Padraic, over the summer.

Kane was nominated for the award by current Director of Athletics Michael Lindberg. Immediately after Lindberg’s hiring in September 2014, Kane helped the newly-hired Director of Athletics to create a seamless transition between department leaders.

“Dan has an extraordinary loyalty to Wells College, the coaching staff and most importantly the student-athletes,” said Lindberg. “His passion to educate and to serve the Wells College community in whatever manner is needed has been an example for many to emulate.”

“During his tenure as Acting Athletics Director, Kane’s support of his fellow coaches and their student-athletes was extremely important to our College,” remarked Assistant Athletics Director Griffin Spencer. “His behind-the-scenes work and late nights in the office did not go unnoticed and rightfully so. The results of his hard work is evident through our outstanding student-athletes and their success in 2014.”

“Dan’s helpful and caring demeanor were instrumental for my successful transition into Wells last year,” said Mara Primmer, Head Women’s Soccer Coach at Wells. “Always available to answer my questions, his insight and passion for soccer and our College has been extremely helpful to myself and the entire women’s soccer program.”

The College initiated the Employee Recognition Breakfast seven years ago while the campus-wide Awards for Excellence were added in 2012. Each awardee will have her or his name added to a campus plaque.

Kane has been employed at Wells dating back to August 2009.