Dale Solotruck was named the head coach of the Hobart and William Smith Colleges Alpine skiing teams in 2022, heading into their inaugural varsity seasons. He came to HWS after a 16-year stint as the co-head coach of the men’s and women’s Alpine Skiing teams at Castleton University.
Solotruck’s fourth season in charge of the HWS Alpine Skiing teams saw both Hobart and William Smith’s most successful seasons in program history. For the second straight season, both the Statesmen and the Herons qualified for the USCSA National Championships after combining for 12 wins throughout the regular season. At nationals, Solotruck led HWS to eight All-American awards. Hobart finished 15th in the team standings, while William Smith came in 12th overall. The national championships were highlighted by two individual national titles as first-year Aspen McAuley and sophomore Will Patton secured the program’s first national championship title, winning the slalom on both the men’s and women’s sides. McAuley was eventually crowned the alpine skiing national champion after finishing first in the slalom and second in the giant slalom, securing first place out of 135 racers. Patton led the Statesmen with a 43rd place finish on the men’s side. Along with their strong performances at the 2026 USCSA national championships, both Hobart and William Smith had dominant regular seasons that saw the Statesmen win the Mideast Conference Regional Championships, while the Herons finished third. HWS combined for five All-Conference awards and was highlighted by McAuley being named the 2026 Mideast Conference Female Fastest Racer award. McAuley also won the Stephanie Christie Award for the William Smith Athletics Department Rookie of the Year. Patton secured the 2026 William “Myles” Silverman ’20 award for the Hobart Athletics Department’s individual sport excellence recognition.
In Solotruck’s third season at the helm of the Hobart and William Smith Alpine Skiing teams, he led both the Statesmen and the Herons to the USCSA National Championships. It was the first time in program history that both teams qualified for the national championships in the same season. Hobart finished fifth of 27 teams at nationals, after finishing third in the skier cross, sixth in the giant slalom and fifth in the slalom. William Smith secured 14th in the team standings after finishing 16th in the giant slalom, sixth in the skier cross, and 12th in the slalom. Solotruck mentored first-year Will Patton and sophomore Ethan Hine to a combined five All-American awards as Patton finished the week ranked fourth of 143 racers, while Hine finished 11th. Senior Marjorie Plants finished 34th out of 142 racers on the women’s side. Along with successful national championship performances, Solotruck led HWS to strong seasons on both sides as the Statesmen won the Mideast Conference Regional Championships, while the Herons finished second in the conference. HWS combined for four All-Conference awards, while Patton was named the 2025 Mideast Conference Male Fastest Racer award. Patton also won the Abe Solomon Memorial Award for the Hobart Athletics Department Rookie of the Year.
In his second year as head coach of the Hobart and William Smith Alpine Skiing teams, Solotruck led the Statesmen to a spot at the USCSA National Championships. Solotruck led the Statesmen to a third place finish at the USCSA Mideast Conference Championships, landing two skiers on the All-Conference team and qualifying for the national tournament. The Herons finished fifth at regionals, landing one skier on the All-Conference team. Solotruck mentored Ethan Hine, who in his first year at Hobart was named a three time USCSA All-American after finishing top-15 in the skier cross, the giant slalom and the slalom. Hine also won the Abe Solomon Memorial Award for the Hobart Athletics Department Rookie of the Year.
In his first year at the helm, Solotruck led the Herons to a third-place finish at the USCSA National Championships. Solotruck produced two All-Americans, six Scholar All-Americans, and three All-Conference selections in his first season. He led the Herons to a first-place finish and the Statesmen to a fifth-place finish at the USCSA Mideast Regional Championships. Between the two programs, Solotruck led HWS to 14 top-three finishes, putting HWS on the map in collegiate alpine skiing.
In his time at Castleton, Solotruck helped lead a program that routinely earned podium finishes at the ECSC Regional Championships and the USCSA National Championships. He coached the Spartans to five individual national championships as well as dozens of USCSA All-American and Scholar All-American awards.
In 2020, Solotruck led the Castleton women to a USCSA slalom national championship, while the men’s team finished second nationally.
Prior to his time at Castleton, Solotruck also coached at Dartmouth College, SUNY Morrisville, Adirondack Community College, and Green Mountain College. He helped the Big Green win a national championship in 2007, led the Eagles to a pair of USCSA Eastern Regional appearances, and led the Timberwolves to five straight USCSA regional appearances.
Over his 25-year career, Solotruck has coached at three different levels of higher education, including the NJCAA, USCSA and NCAA. He is certified in both PSIA and USSA and is a VARA and USSA level 200/300 ski coach while also having served in executive roles for the USCSA New York Conference’s Adirondack Division.
In addition to his coaching resume, Solotruck has also served as an assistant dean for student activities, athletics and residence life at Morrisville and as assistant dean for athletics, recreation, and student activities at SUNY Adirondack.
Solotruck has an associate’s degree from SUNY Schenectady and a bachelor’s degree from SUNY Potsdam.
