Steve Shingledecker was named head coach of the RMU men's golf program June 14, 2023.
"We are excited to appoint Steve Shingledecker to the position of head men's golf coach," RMU Vice President & Director of Athletics Chris King '94 said. "Steve is an outstanding leader with a passion for developing student-athletes on and off the course. He received glowing recommendations from the golf community and by those he has worked with over the years. Most importantly, we know how important ensuring a positive student-athlete experience is to him, and we believe that the young men in our program will benefit greatly from his leadership, mentoring and coaching. Steve knows our program and student-athletes, and he will take great pride in continuing the growth of our men's golf program."
Shingledecker, a native of Franklin, Pa., brings over a decade of experience as he begins his second stint with RMU after being an assistant coach for the Colonials during the 2022-23 campaign. He helped RMU to four top-five finishes last season, including a third-place effort at The Jewell, hosted by Northern Kentucky University, where its team score of 861 ranks second in program history for a 54-hole competition.
"It is with great honor that I accept the position of head men's golf coach at Robert Morris University," Shingledecker said. "Over the years I have been fortunate to compete and coach at a high level but nothing has been more exciting to me than the opportunity to move forward with RMU and the golf program. Over the past year I have learned a great deal about this terrific university and their commitment to athletics. Golf is a unique sport that combines individual accomplishments within a team concept. It will be our goal to compete year in and year out for titles in the Horizon League and NCAA appearances. We will look to recruit the top talent to play golf at RMU. The resources here for golf are as good or better than any team in this conference."
While helping the RMU golf program, Shingledecker was the director of golf operations and instruction at the Turn Club in Cranberry Township, Pa. He ran the day-to-day operations while being an instructor and developer in lessons, clinics and camps. His duties also included annual budgeting for golf operations, staff management and local marketing. Prior to his stint at the Turn Club, Shingledecker was the director of golf at one of the world's top 100 destination golf resorts in Nemacolin Woodlands from 2018-20. While conducting golf lessons, fittings and clinics, he designed and implemented platforms to analyze market demographics and developed strategic growth plans for Nemacolin.
"Steve really stood out during the search process because of the vision he painted for the future of the RMU men's golf program," King continued. "His vision for our program is ambitious and inspiring, and is aligned with RMU Athletics goals and values, and he shares our vision of winning league titles and advancing in the NCAA Championships. He is a great fit to lead our men's golf program moving forward."
Before his previous tenure at Nemacolin, Shingledecker was a co-founder and named president of a non-profit organization called Stick With It from 2014-18. Stick With It is an organization that helps youth golfers develop their skill set and development. Over 200 children have benefited from the organization as they have raised over $1 million in donations.
Shingledecker was a four-year starter for the baseball team at North Carolina State University from 1988-1991. During his time, he made three appearances in the NCAA Tournament while being selected as the ACC Tournament MVP in 1990. He was an All-Tournament selection during that season before being named to the All-ACC Team during his senior campaign. After earning a bachelor's degree in business management, Shingledecker stayed on as an assistant coach where he helped the Wolfpack win the Atlantic Coast Conference Championship in 1992.
Transitioning from the diamond to the course, Shingledecker found success. In 1998, he was a sectional qualifier for the United States Open before being a local qualifying medalist and sectional qualifier in 2001. He then was a United States Amateur qualifier in the same year before qualifying for the United States Middle Amateur in 2003. Shingledecker became a co-owner and director of Golf of Wanango Country Club from 2013-18, where he taught over 1,000 students/clinics.
