Attributes success to his coaches, the athletes, and their parents
CCHS health and physical education teacher David Feuer is the first Cornwall coach to be inducted into the Section IX Track and Field Hall of Fame, however he’s not the first Cornwall representative. The cross country and indoor and outdoor track coach recently joined former athletes Aisling Cuffe, Mike Fitzula, Marissa Maggio, and Erika Pietrzak as the other honorees.
“It’s a very humbling and surprising honor,” Feuer said. “I really did not expect it, but I’m appreciative of the committee for recognizing 40 years of hard work. I owe it all to the great kids.
Without the kids you can’t have a great team. I’ve been blessed with a lot of great athletes over the years, going back to 1988 when I first came here.”
Assistant coach Brian Creeden nominated Feuer, but it was the Section IX selection committee which accepted the nomination. The announcement was actually made in front of the team last winter as Creeden broke the news to a round of cheers from the runners.
“He deserves to be in the Hall of Fame,” Creeden said. “He’s the best coach in New York State, possibly the best in the country.”
Feuer’s resume is backed by two cross country national champions and multiple state title holders. During the induction ceremony, the long-time coach received a glass plaque for himself and one for the school. A number of former athletes, some going back to the 1990s, were in the audience during the reception. One even traveled from Bermuda for the momentous occasion.
When it came time to give his speech, it turned out to be one big thank you to the assistant coaches, the athletes, and their parents.
“It wasn’t about me, it was about we,” Feuer said. “One person doesn’t win a Hall of Fame award. You have a lot of help along the way.”
Feuer’s career in track and field began as an athlete. He ran distance mostly and dabbled with sprinting. During his senior year, his coach asked him what his future looked like, but the teen didn’t have a clue as nobody in his family had gone to college. Unsure what to major in, Feuer’s coach suggested physical education because he liked kids, worked in a summer camp, and enjoyed talking about sports on a regular basis.
After four years of college, Feuer returned to North Rockland where he joined his former coach as an assistant. He stayed at the school for four years, but he heard from a friend that Cornwall was looking for a physical education/health teacher and a track coach, so he applied for the position. In 1988, Feuer joined the staff in Cornwall and the rest, as he says, is history.
Feuer’s approach to coaching mimics that which he learned from his former coach.
“Give it your all or don’t bother. If you want to be successful, you have to be all in because the kids will notice if you’re not right away. Kids will give it everything they can if they see you’re doing the same.”
The long-time coach considers himself to be a doctor, athletic trainer, and social director. He even takes on the role of guidance counselor helping his athletes get into college.
“You have to wear a lot of hats when you coach. I love helping kids reach their goals. I love seeing the smiles on their faces when they accomplish something great.”
Feuer has enjoyed a lot of success as Cornwall’s track and field coach, but he doesn’t do it alone. For over two decades he’s shared that success with Creeden and Jeff Moulton.
Consistency in the coaching staff has helped build a successful program, rather than the athletes having to adjust to a new system, leadership, and philosophy on a regular basis.
