Daemen University Athletics

Bret Stothart was named the Director of Recreation and Wellness at Daemen in July of 2022.

Stothart manages and directs all aspects of a comprehensive recreation program that engages a diverse student population, promotes health and wellness, and enhances the quality of living and learning for students, while also managing Daemen’s fitness center and auxiliary gymnasium located within the Academic & Wellness Center.

Stothart arrived at Daemen with over two decades of experience in professional, collegiate and club athletics. He spent five years (2017-22) as manager of the Delaware Soccer Club in Buffalo. He ran the day-to-day operations of the club, which features nearly 2,000 participants annually in youth recreation leagues, a competitive travel program, numerous camps and clinics, and multiple adult leagues.

Prior to relocating to Western New York, Stothart spent five years (2011-16) at Western New England University where he served as head coach of the women’s volleyball program and was also an instructor of personal health and wellness. He guided the women’s volleyball program to an overall record of 98-57 and his .632 winning percentage continues to be the best in the program’s history. He was named the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Coach of the Year in 2012.

He landed his first collegiate head coaching job at Roger Williams University in 2005.  During his six seasons (2005-2011) at RWU his teams compiled a 124-74 record and made two appearances in the NCAA Division III Tournament (2009, 2010). He was named the CCC Coach of the Year in 2010. During his time at RWU he also served as the Intramural and Recreation Coordinator and the Assistant Athletics Communications Director.

Prior to his NCAA Division III head coaching experiences, the Emmaus, Pa. native served as a volunteer women’s volleyball coach and an athletic department media relations graduate assistant at Niagara University while pursuing his master’s degree (2003-2005). He would earn his MBA in Strategic Management.

Stothart began his professional life in 1998 with the American Hockey League (AHL). He served several roles during his five years with the AHL, including Director of Communications & Media Services.

He earned his bachelor's degree in sport management from Springfield College in 1998. A four-year member of the men’s volleyball team, he was selected as Volleyball Magazine’s Division III National Player of the Year in 1997 after leading the Pride to the Molten Division III National Championship. In addition, Stothart was the school's Senior Male Athlete of the Year in 1998 and a three-time GTE/CoSIDA Academic All-America selection.

Stothart resides in Buffalo his wife Natalie, who is the Assistant Head of School at Buffalo Seminary, and their sons Ben and Jack.