Hobart and William Smith Colleges Athletics

A 1988 Ithaca College National Champion, Virkler brings nearly three decades of coaching and physical education experience to HWS. After earning his master’s degree in Physical Education from SUNY Cortland, he spent 28 years teaching physical education and coaching football at Owego Free Academy, where he also coached basketball, lacrosse, track and field, unified basketball and flag football.

A former president and current executive committee member of the New York State High School Football Coaches Association, Virkler has also played a key role in the growth of girls flag football in New York. He helped establish Owego’s program, which went 47-7 in its first four seasons, and served as an assistant coach from 2022-25, including as defensive coordinator for a team that captured two sectional and two NYS regional championships and advanced to the 2025 NYS Championship game.