Dan York (Wallace State Community College)
Editor's note: This story has been updated. Mr. York was born on March 14, 1950, not Feb. 14, 1950 as originally recorded by the funeral home. Mr. York passed away at the age of 68, not 69.
CULLMAN, Ala. – Longtime Wallace State Golf Coach Dan York passed away Monday, Feb. 25, 2019 at the age of 68.
Wallace State shared the following statement regarding York and his time with the Lions.
“The entire Wallace State family is saddened about the passing of our long-time golf coach Dan York. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. Coach York was an outstanding coach and leader for 30+ years at Wallace State, positively impacting the lives of many student-athletes.
“Coach York was a member of the NJCAA, ACCC, and Cullman County Hall of Fames and led the men's and women's programs to a combined 16 conference championships and three national runner-up finishes.”
York was inducted into the ACCC Hall of Fame this year, adding to his previous inductions in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Golf Coaches Hall of Fame and the Cullman County Sports Hall of Fame. Dean Myrick, ACCC Commissioner, presented him with a commemorative ACCC Hall of Fame plaque at the event.
The Wallace State Golf practice facility at the college’s Wellness Center will be named in York’s honor upon approval by the Alabama Community College System Board of Trustees later this year.
On Feb. 18, 2019, just one week before York died, Wallace State President Dr. Vicki Karolewics read aloud a resolution in honor of York and the naming of the facility and presented him with a copy of the sign that will be installed at the venue.
As York was battling cancer, the presentations were made at his home, with family, colleagues and friends present.
“You and your teams have been outstanding representatives of Wallace State. We are so proud of you and so very pleased to be able to recognize you in this way,” Karolewics said then.
“It has been my honor to have been part of the Wallace State family and this sport, and to have coached so many outstanding young men and women,” York said last Monday, acknowledging with gratitude the outpouring of support he received.
Under York’s leadership, the Wallace State men’s golf team have won 13 Alabama Community College Conference (ACCC)/National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region 22 Championships and made 23 appearances at the NJCAA National Championships.
His teams finished runner-up national champions on three occasions – in 1993, 1996, and 2014. Two of his players – Aksel Olsen in 2013 and Cooper Brown in 2014 – were individual national champions, winning the Arnold Palmer Low Medalist Award.
Coach York began Wallace State’s women’s golf program in 2015, earning three additional ACCC Championships and National Tournament appearances in the first three years of that program.
During his 32-year tenure, York coached 21 NJCAA Division I All-Americans, more than 40 NJCAA Academic All-Americans, three NJCAA Academic Teams of the Year, and numerous professional players. Former Ryder Cup and PGA player Brett Wetterich, current PGA player Fredrik Jacobson, and country music star Kip Moore are among his former players.
A 1968 graduate of Cullman High School, York always had a passion for golf, excelling as a player and coach, competing widely himself, and winning numerous local tournaments. After high school, he served in the United States Air Force. Later, he played collegiately at St. Bernard College, lettering for four seasons, and earning a degree in physical education in 1974. Prior to joining Wallace State, he coached at Fairview High School.
Services
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, Feb.26, 2019 from 6-8 p.m. The celebration of York’s life will be Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019 at noon at First Baptist Church of Cullman. Burial will follow in Cullman City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Wallace State Foundation, PO Box 568, Hanceville, AL 35077. Visit www.wsccfuturefoundation.org/danyork. To leave condolences for the family, visit www.mossservicefh.com. Moss Service Funeral Home directing.
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