In 1992 Eric D’Arcy became a social studies teacher and wrestling coach for the Newark Valley Central School. Coach D’Arcy had a formidable job facing him, he had to reconstruct a wrestling program that had been undeveloped for several years since the departure of Hall of Fame coach and official, Marshall Schlosberg. D’Arcy demonstrated he was equipped for the challenge. He started a necessary Pee Wee wrestling program, revamped the modified wrestling arrangement and employed his system of coaching into the Cardinal’s high school wrestling program. The results are manifested in his 25 years career at Newark Valley. His teams have won 6 overall IAC league titles, 9 IAC division titles, and had 55 individual league champions. Furthermore, his teams have won four Section IV Class sectional titles, 1 Section IV Division I title and one Section IV Dual Meet Championship. Along the way Coach D’Arcy and his Cardinals teams have been consistently positioned in the New York State high school rankings. Additionally, he has coached 21 state qualifiers, 6 New York state place winners and 137 sectional place winners. D’Arcy career record at Newark Valley is 277-122-2 and he was selected 3 times as the IAC Coach of the Year, 2 times Section IV Class C Coach of the Year and was named ESPN Ithaca Wrestling Coach of the Year for the 2015-16 season. Not only has his wrestling teams been highly regarded but Coach D’Arcy has also trained 2 NYSPHSAA championships teams in Cross-Country and won 10 Section IV cross-country championships. Coach D’Arcy’s impact on all sports at Newark Valley has been significant. Additionally, Eric has found the time and energy to play the drums in a local rock n’ roll band.

D’Arcy’s career as a wrestler began at Bishop Walsh high school in Section VI under the guidance of Paul Abdo, who D’Arcy maintains had a significant impact on his life and coaching. From Bishop Walsh, Eric traveled to Gannon College in Pennsylvania and ended his college wrestling career at Oswego State wrestling for Hall of Fame coach, Jim Howard. While at Oswego, Eric was a SUNYAC place winner for 2 years. During 1989-90 season Eric worked as the assistant coach of another Hall of Famer, Mike Conners, at Fulton where he helped to guide the team to a New York State championship. D’Arcy stated in an interview that Conners had a profound impact on his coaching philosophy. Subsequently, he coached at North Rose Wolcott for 2 seasons before arriving at Newark Valley. 

D’Arcy has indicated that his coaching philosophy has been influenced by all the great coaches that he has worked with over his career. He strongly believes that a system of wrestling needs to be convey to his wrestlers and that a coach should never be afraid to ask other coaches what they were doing to get better. In addition, Coach D’Arcy maintains that he has had excellent assistant coaches during his tenure at Newark Valley. He specifically refers to Rob Zetzsche and Bill Kitchin who have been instrumental in the wrestling program. Zetzsche said this about D’Arcy, “Coach D’Arcy mentors and inspires his wrestlers not to just excel on the mat but in all aspect of life.” Furthermore, Coach D’Arcy maintains that Coach Bill Kitchin, who was inducted into the Section IV Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2019, is always willing to go the extra mile to ensure that all the wrestlers are learning and taken care of at all times.

Coach D’Arcy has indicated that he has lived a “blessed life.” He has been fortunate to have good athletes, remarkable coaches during his career and foremost an incredible family to share his life. His oldest son, Collin, who is a University of Albany graduate, and now working as an Assistant District Attorney in Albany. Another son Ryan, who is a Physician Assistant, working in the Emergency Room in Batavia. Additionally, he has four daughters, Jenna Cupp, a school psychologist; Katia D’Arcy a business education teacher at Newark Valley and the future cross-country coach of the Cardinals; Taylor Cupp, who is a graduate of Albany Law School; and Anna D’Arcy who is an Ithaca College graduate presenting working in Los Angeles. Also he has indicated that he was fortunate to have an exceptional wife, Tracey. She has served as his assistant coach in cross country and has been a calming effect on him and his coaching. Furthermore, she has provided him with astute insights in his career and life.

The community of Newark Valley is very fortunate to have Eric as an educator and coach of their student athletes. As a result of all his achievements as a coach, educator and person the Upstate New York Chapter is honored and pleased to welcome Coach Eric D’Arcy into the Chapter’s Hall of Fame. His accomplishments will be enshrined in the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in Stillwater, Oklahoma.