Paul Wehrum and Pepe Aragon to be Honored with Inaugural NJCAA Coaches Legacy Awards

Former Men's Lacrosse Head Coach Paul Wehrum and Men's Soccer Head Coach Pepe Aragon have been selected as inaugural recipients of the National Junior College Athletic Association (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.

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 Generals 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. 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.

Herkimer College Dean of Students/Director of Athletics Don Dutcher said, “Paul Wehrum and Pepe Aragon are not only two of the most successful coaches in NJCAA history, they are also two of the most influential figures in Herkimer College athletics. Their legacies go far beyond wins and championships—they’ve shaped the lives of countless student-athletes and elevated the national reputation of our program. This recognition from the NJCAA is a fitting tribute to their extraordinary impact on their respective sports and the generations of student-athletes they’ve inspired.”

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