Vincennes University Golf Coach Dennis Chattin to be inducted into NJCAA Golf Hall of Fame

VINCENNES, Ind. – The NJCAA Men’s Golf Coaches Association announced their 2022 Hall of Fame class and of the six names list was VU Head Coach Dennis Chattin.

“It is very humbling to think that I will be in ‘The Hall’,” Chattin said. “Just this year alone, to see my name with those that are being inducted is hard to believe, let alone those that have been inducted over the years. I hope this will elevate the visibility of our golf program at VU. It makes me feel as though I should have done more to have earned this.”

Coach Chattin has guided the VU Men’s Golf program since 2003 and has led the Trailblazers to three NJCAA Division III National Championships in six years, in 2013, 2016 and 2018.

Chattin has also had team finish third, fifth and seventh in the National Championship tournament and has been named National Coach of the Tournament three times.

During his time at VU, Chattin has been named NJCAA Region 12 Coach of the Year six times, won six Region 12 team Championships and had 11 golfers receive NJCAA All-American honors.

“There have been many memories, but mostly about the players that have played for us,” Chattin added. “There have been some great people, not just athletes, that have played here at VU.”

“The National Championships are, of course, very special,” Chattin said. “As the old Wide World of Sports intro said, ‘it’s the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat’ that I think makes coaches tick. I think creating a once in a lifetime memory for players is a large part of what you hope to accomplish.”

Chattin is the 21st Vincennes University player, coach or contributor to receive NJCAA Hall of Fame honors and the seventh in the last six years.

Vincennes University now has three current NJCAA Hall of Fame coaches, with Chattin joining Men’s Basketball Head Coach Todd Franklin and Women’s Basketball Head Coach and Athletic Director Harry Meeks.

“I can remember walking into the P.E. Complex and seeing all the great accomplishments of VU Athletics and coaches and realizing that we didn’t have anything there for golf,” Chattin added. “I wanted to put golf in the rafters as well. I also remember having athletes I contacted say they didn’t know VU had a golf team and that even included people that worked at VU.”

“The Championships helped change that image and I hope that in some way this will add to the great history of VU Athletics and make golf more visible to prospective players for our program,” Chattin said.