Cotton announces retirement from?DPU

Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Page Cotton

Page Cotton, DePauw men's soccer coach since 1969, has announced his retirement effective at the end of the year.

Cotton, who will continue to serve as the University's Theodore M. Katula Director of Athletics, made the announcement to his team following today's practice.

"This is by no means an easy decision," Cotton said. "But the time feels right."

A 1969 Springfield (Mass.) College graduate, Cotton began his DePauw coaching career shortly after graduation when he took the helm of a three-year old DePauw soccer program. Over the last 39 seasons, Cotton's teams have compiled a 381-186-33 record and he ranks ninth in victories among active Division III coaches.

Cotton has established a program that hasn't suffered a losing season since 1981 and has made eight appearances in NCAA Division III Championship play. During a stretch of nine seasons from 1989 through 1997, the Tigers won all 54 regular season games in the Indiana Collegiate Athletic Conference and Cotton earned the league's coach of the year honors each year.

"I have so many great memories over the years and couldn't have asked for a better place than DePauw to establish a teaching and coaching career," Cotton said. "I've been fortunate to work with outstanding and dedicated colleagues and a supoortive administration."

As director of athletics, Cotton will continue to oversee the University's 21 men's and women's athletic teams as well as several club and intramural programs. During his tenure, DePauw's athletic program has ranked among the leaders in the U.S. Sports Academy Directors' Cup standings including a 13th place finish in 2005-06 and 15th last year.

A professor of kinesiology at DePauw, Cotton received the Medora C. Adams Distinguished Professor Award in April, 2004. He has served on several NCAA soccer committees and recently chaired the championships selection process. Cotton will continue to serve on the NCAA Division III Membership Committee.

The Newton, Mass., native captained the Springfield College soccer team that posted an undefeated season and captured Atlantic Coast and New England championships.

He and his wife, Narda, are the parents of Elizabeth and Page.

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