ALFRED, NY - Deb Steward, the Associate Vice President for Student Experience, Athletics and Recreation has announced the appointment of Adam D'Agostino as the Director of Equestrian/Head Western Coach at Alfred University.
 
"As a native New Yorker and lifelong equine industry professional, I am thrilled to join the Saxon family," D'Agostino said. "My primary goal is to focus on building upon the tremendous growth that the Equestrian program has seen over the last several decades. The warm and inviting culture at Alfred is special and I look forward to immersing myself in this innovative and collaborative environment."
 
D'Agostino will lead all aspects of the operations and staffing at the Bromeley-Daggett Equestrian Center at Maris Cuneo Equine Park. In addition, he will teach equine-related courses and serve as the Head Coach for the western team.
 
"Adam is a passionate leader who is committed to the student experience including the access to horses for all individuals," Steward said. "Adam's education, teaching experience, recruiting expertise, ownership of successful show horses and his management of the overall care of horse herds will greatly benefit our equestrian program. I am excited for the future of our equestrian program with Adam as our director."
 
D'Agostino will play a large role in the evolution of the Bromeley-Daggett Equestrian Center, which opened in August of 2005. The facility currently features an indoor arena to go with two lighted outdoor arenas. With over 40 acres to offer, the Bromeley-Daggett Equestrian Center is the home of three different equestrian programs at Alfred University. 
 
Earlier this spring, the Bromeley-Daggett Equestrian Center coordinated with the Cornell Cooperative Extension in a voluntary Horse Farm Improvement Program (HFIP). The program is designed to help New York horse farms improve in targeted areas through evaluation, discussion and by providing resources. Steward commented, "This opportunity to comprehensively review our equine operations with area experts has allowed us to focus our priorities at our equestrian center."
 
D'Agostino spent the last six years with Albion College as the Head Western Coach. With the Britons, D'Agostino led the training and development of student-athletes in preparation for Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) competition. D'Agostino was responsible for the recruitment of student-athletes, which involved hosting events on campus. During his time with Albion, D'Agostino developed student leadership programs and created events to engage with the local community. At the 2024 IHSA Western National Championships, D'Agostino's coached his Albion riders to six Top-10 finishes. In 2023, he coached the IHSA Individual National Champion in Level II Western Horsemanship and his team finished seventh overall for the Western Team's premiere appearance in the American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA) Trophy Team National's competition.
 
Before his time at Albion, D'Agostino served as an associate lecturer, adjunct professor and head western coach at Cazenovia College (NY). In 2017, he coached an IHSA National Champion and his team was an IHSA Nationals AQHA Trophy Team as they finished in eighth place.
 
D'Agostino also judges several open shows throughout the Midwest.
 
D'Agostino spent 15 years as the Owner of Empire Performance Horses in Albion, MI, where he oversaw the training of horses for AQHA, NSBA, APHA, ApHC, PtHA and PHBA competition. He was additionally responsible for judging local horse shows and offering clinics to youth and adult amateur competitors.
 
"The Saxons are a nationally-ranked team in the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association and I am excited to be able to steward the future of our student-athletes into the next era of success for a program that is celebrated at the heart of the institution. Once I have landed on campus, I encourage all in the community to come out to the Bromeley-Daggett Equestrian Center to say 'hi'," D'Agostino said.
 
D'Agostino earned his Master of Business Administration in Marketing and Organizational Leadership and two Bachelor of Science degrees in Western Equine Studies and Equine Business Management at the University of Findlay (OH).