Paul Wehrum and Pepe Aragon Honored as Inaugural NJCAA Coaches Legacy Award Recipients

 

Herkimer College is proud to announce that former Men's Lacrosse Head Coach Paul Wehrum and Men's Soccer Head Coach Pepe Aragon have been selected as inaugural recipients of the NJCAA Coaches Legacy Award. This prestigious honor recognizes the all-time winningest coaches in NJCAA history and will be presented for the first time since the NJCAA's founding in 1938.

 

The recognition will take place on June 17, 2025, at a special luncheon in Charlotte, North Carolina, at the Hilton Charlotte University Place Hotel.

Pepe Aragon has solidified himself as one of the most successful coaches in NJCAA history in his 27 seasons as head coach for the Herkimer Men's Soccer Program. Under his leadership, the Herkimer Generals have won seven NJCAA national championships and 20 consecutive Region III championships (1998-2017). His overall record of 455-49-20 ranks among the all-time greats, and he has been named Adidas/National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) National Coach of the Year five times.

 

Beyond his coaching success, Aragon has made significant contributions to the NJCAA and NSCAA through leadership roles, including serving as President of the NJCAA Men's Soccer Association and President of the Region III Men's Soccer Coaches Association. A former NJCAA All-American himself at Herkimer, Aragon's impact on the game has extended beyond the pitch, mentoring thousands of student-athletes, including 58 NJCAA All-Americans and seven NSCAA National Players of the Year.

During his 24-season tenure (1980-2003) as Herkimer's men's lacrosse head coach, Paul Wehrum built an unparalleled dynasty, leading the Generals to an astonishing 403-62 record, three undefeated seasons, and eight NJCAA national championships. His teams dominated Region III, capturing 21 consecutive regional titles, and he was named NJCAA Coach of the Year four times.

 

Wehrum's impact extended beyond the NJCAA. He served as an assistant coach for the U.S. National Team that won the 1998 World Lacrosse Championship, and his contributions to the sport earned him induction into multiple halls of fame, including the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame (1999), Long Island Lacrosse Hall of Fame, Upstate New York Lacrosse Hall of Fame, and SUNY Cortland Hall of Fame. In recognition of his legacy, Herkimer College dedicated its athletic stadium in his name in 2005—Wehrum Stadium.

 

Both Aragon and Wehrum have left a profound mark on Herkimer College and NJCAA athletics, influencing generations of student-athletes and elevating the level of competition in their respective sports. The NJCAA Coaches Legacy Award cements their status as two of the most accomplished coaches in NJCAA history.