SUNY Potsdam Athletics

SUNY Potsdam Hall of Fame Swimming and Diving Coach Dave Allen took over the program before the 1971-72 season. Over six years, he built his Bears into a consistent winner. Potsdam recorded a record of 44-26 during his tenure and a remarkable 26-5 mark over his last three campaigns. The 1976-77 season was the culmination of his efforts and showcase for the talented athletes he brought to Maxcy Hall Natatorium.
 
Under Allen, the Bears produced All-Americans and strong NCAA Championships showings, but they had yet to win a SUNYAC Title, finishing second the past two years. Potsdam's senior tri-captains Steve Auburn, Tom Carvotta and Dan Wall were all returning All-Americans. Junior All-American Peter Eberhardt and sophomore All-American Mike Spencer were also back. The Bears opened 1976-77 practicing six days a week and twice a day for three of the six, each totaling about six miles a day.
 
The Bears opened the season at home on November 20, with a 93-52 thumping of McGill. Auburn set a then pool record in the 1650 Freestyle during the victory. The next two meets were the toughest of the season, scheduled by Allen to prepare Potsdam for postseason. The Bears were humbled by defending National Champion St. Lawrence, 69-44, on December 12. Division I Colgate defeated Potsdam 77-29 on January 15. Potsdam did not lose again.
 
In a preview of the SUNYAC Championship, the Bears upended Cortland on January 22, 67-46, in front of a huge home crowd. Potsdam won nine of the meet's 13 events. Auburn set a SUNYAC, school and pool record in the 1000 Freestyle. Wall recorded the school mark in the 200 Freestyle. He then set a school record in the 400 Freestyle relay with Spencer, Bob Byron and Dan Matthews.
 
A snowstorm prevented Albany from reaching Potsdam on January 29, but the Bears continued to roll with a home win over Saint Michael's on February 2. Three days later Potsdam traveled to Brockport where the Bears crushed the Golden Eagles 78-35 and Rochester 92-19. On February 19 at Plattsburgh, Potsdam swept the Cardinals 76-36 and Oswego 87-26 to cap the regular season. Auburn set a pool record in the 500 Freestyle and Wall did the same in the 200 Freestyle.
 
When the Bears reached Cortland on March 3 for the three-day SUNYAC Championships, they ran away with the competition. Potsdam recorded 451 points for the victory, 110 more than second place Cortland. Defending champ Geneseo was a distant third with 304 points. Wall topped his own SUNYAC record in the Individual Medley and notched another conference mark in the 200 Freestyle. Spencer set the meet record in 100 Butterfly and the 800 Freestyle Relay team of Eberhardt, Matthews, Byron and Wall also established a new conference mark. When the dust had settled, the Bears had won seven of the 18 events, six coming with conference records. Auburn claimed the Fulton Award for Outstanding Senior and Allen was selected as SUNYAC Coach of the Year. A record nine Bears qualified for the NCAA Championships.
 
Potsdam's swimmers capped their incredible season with more major achievements at the Division III championships in Oberlin, Ohio from March 17-19. Five Bears earned All-American status and set four SUNYAC records, while finishing 15th in the nation. Auburn was a double All-American in the 1650 Freestyle and the 1000 Freestyle. His time of 16:37.89 in the former event was a SUNYAC record and remains Potsdam's record today. Wall was an All-American in the 100 and 200 Freestyle, as well as the 200 Individual Medley where he had another SUNYAC mark. The 800 Freestyle Relay team of Eberhardt, Matthews, Byron and Wall also earned All-American honors.
 
The 1976-77 Bears men's swimmers and divers are one of the best teams Potsdam Athletics has ever produced. Six of its members preceded the team into the Bears Hall of Fame. Auburn and Wall in 1989, Eberhardt in 2008 and Spencer and Carvotta in 2009. Allen, who made it all happen, was enshrined in 1997. The coach passed away in 2023.