Aug. 15, 2005
NEW YORK, N.Y. -
Richard Mueller has been named women and men's golf coach at Columbia University, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and Physical Education Dr. M. Dianne Murphy announced today. Mueller succeeds Al Carlson, who had been the program's mentor since 1990. Carlson ended his tenure in May to focus solely on his position as Associate Athletics Director for Budget and Finance.
Mueller comes to Columbia after spending five years as the head golf coach at New York University, where he led the program to its first two NCAA Championship appearances in 2004 and 2005. The Violets finished a best-ever 21st in 2005, after a 23rd-place finish in 2004. For his efforts, Mueller was named the University Athletic Association Coach of the Year in 2004 and was selected as the Northeast Region Coach of the Year in 2005 by the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA).
Mueller's program at NYU also has succeeded away from the course, as six student-athletes were named Academic All-Americans during his five-year tenure.
"Richard has exemplary credentials as a player and a coach," Dr. Murphy commented. "His commitment to academic excellence and integrity made him the right fit to lead our golf programs."
A PGA apprentice, Mueller currently serves on the NCAA Division III Men's Golf Championships Committee, the GCAA Scholar All-American Committee and the ECAC Men's Golf Committee as a Metro Region Representative.
A 1999 graduate of NYU and a four-year member of the Violets' golf team, Mueller received the team's "Iron Horse" Award as a junior for his consistent play, and earned team MVP honors as a senior captain. Mueller also received a master's degree in higher education administration from his alma mater in January, 2005.
