web Charlotte

July 15, 2009

Charlotte, N.C. - Charlotte 49ers head golf coach Adam Pry has announced the hiring of former 49ers standout Andrew DiBitetto as assistant coach. DiBitetto, an all-America golfer and former A-10 Golf Student Athlete of the Year who graduated in 2008, was part of a historic 49ers class that became the first in school history to participate in four straight NCAA Tournaments.

"I am absolutely thrilled to name Andrew DiBitetto as our Assistant Coach," said Pry, who was named head coach in June. "Andrew's experience as a highly successful student-athlete, a professional golfer and assistant coach made him the ideal candidate for the position. As a former team member, Andrew is passionate about UNC Charlotte and the Charlotte 49ers golf team. This passion helped Andrew become one of the most successful student-athletes in our team's history and will certainly serve the golf team extremely well as the assistant coach."

DiBitetto, who served as an interim assistant coach for the 49ers in the spring of 2009, was named an honorable mention all-America as a junior in 2007 after leading the 49ers to a tie for 3rd place at the NCAA National Championships. DiBitetto, who posted a career stroke average of 73.04, finished in 9th place at the NCAA finals, the best-ever finish by a 49ers golfer. In 2008, he keyed a 49ers team that became the first in school history to be ranked as the consensus #1 team in the country. The 49ers would go on to post an 8th-place finish at the NCAA Championships as the golf team became the first program in school history to post back-to-back top 10 finishes in NCAA Championship competition. As interim assistant coach in 2009, DiBitetto helped the 49ers to a fourth straight A-10 title and a fifth straight NCAA Tournament appearance.

"I would especially like to thank Adam, Judy Rose, Darin Spease, Kim Whitestone, along with the rest of the athletic department staff for this great opportunity," DiBitetto said. "In my years here as a student-athlete, it was obvious that this athletic department does things the right way and for the right reasons, while having fun doing it. I thoroughly enjoyed my playing years as a Charlotte 49er and I am thrilled to now be connected to this University, department, and golf program as an assistant coach."

A three-time all-conference choice, DiBitetto enjoyed his best season as a junior, shooting a career-best 72.8 stroke average and finishing as the individual runner-up at the Atlantic 10 Championship before posting his top ten individual finish at the NCAA Championship. He was an all-Conference USA second team selection and all-Rookie choice as a freshman in 2005, helping the 49ers to their first-ever NCAA Regional Tournament. In 2006, he earned all-Atlantic 10 honors with a fifth-place finish at the league championships as the 49ers won their first A-10 title and advanced through the NCAA Regionals to the 30-team NCAA Championships. The 49ers made history by returning to the NCAA Championships in DiBitetto's final two years, posting those top 10 overall finishes in 2007 and 2008.

DiBitetto also excelled in the classroom and was a two-time GCAA Scholar all-America, the 2007 A-10 Men's Golf Student-Athlete of the Year and a two-time selection to the A-10's all-Academic team.

"Andrew's personality made him a natural team leader during his playing career and I am confident those same traits will make him a very successful coach," Pry added. "This is a great day for Charlotte golf."

"I am looking forward to working with a young, energetic, and talented team, as well as with Adam, as we all strive to get better on and off the course each day," DiBitetto said. "This year should be a lot of fun as we work together to accomplish our goals."

A native of Rochester, N.Y., DiBitetto graduated in 2008 with a 3.57 GPA and a degree in business management.