Trent University alumni and former student-athlete Dillon Muldoon ’13 (Lady Eaton College) has been named the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Women’s Curling Coach of the Year, earning provincial recognition in just his second season at the helm of the Excalibur program. 

The award marks a full-circle moment for Coach Muldoon, who competed for the Trent men’s curling team from 2015 to 2017. During his time as a student-athlete, he was named Men’s Curling MVP in both 2016 and 2017. Those years helped shape the leadership and competitive mindset he now brings behind the bench. 

“Being named the OUA Women's Curling Coach of the Year is an incredible honour. Returning to Trent as a coach after my own time here as a student-athlete makes this award deeply personal,” said Coach Muldoon. “The program and the coaches helped shape my path as a young adult, and now, to be recognized as the OUA Coach of the Year while wearing the same green and white is a true full-circle moment. It's an honour to give back to the university that gave me so much, and to help the next generation of Excalibur athletes write their own history.” 

Coach Muldoon began his coaching career in 2020 as an assistant coach with the men’s curling program at the University of Guelph, returning to Trent in 2022 as assistant coach of the Excalibur curling program. He stepped into the head coach role for the 2024/2025 season. 

A veteran in the league, this honour speaks to Coach Muldoon's reputation among his peers. Nominees for the OUA Coach of the Year are submitted by fellow head coaches, who then rank each nominee. Points are awarded based on those rankings, with the highest overall total determining the recipient. 

In just two seasons leading the women’s program, Coach Muldoon has helped elevate the team from a consistent playoff participant to a provincial contender. This past season, the Excalibur posted an undefeated 4-0 run in the round robin to secure the top overall seed at the OUA Championship. The team ultimately finished fourth in the province, making them the highest-ranking team in Excalibur women’s curling program history, with two student-athletes earning provincial recognition. Skip Lauren Rath was named OUA First-Team All-Star, and skip, Adriana Cule was named Second-Team All-Star. 

For his athletes, Coach Muldoon’s impact extends well beyond strategy and shot selection. Team members consistently describe him as unwavering in his support, whether navigating a tough end during competition or managing academic pressures. 

"Dillon is an incredibly supportive and positive coach,” said Rath. “He wants nothing more than to see us succeed both on and off the ice in curling, our academics, and our future careers as we grow as adults. Dillon believes in us, pushes us to be our best, and constantly reminds us to have fun and enjoy the process. His support and belief in us mean more than he will ever know.” 

The program’s culture of trust and encouragement is anchored in Coach Muldoon’s own experience as a student-athlete. 

“My experience allows me to connect with the players on a level of shared understanding, from knowing exactly what it takes to perform in the final end because I've been in those rings myself,” he explained. "Personally, I've evolved from a purely tactical focus to a leadership focus, learning how to empower each athlete's unique strengths, thanks to my mentors. As a program, we shifted from provincial participants to a top contender for the banner. We aren't just building a team; we are building a sustainable culture of excellence in our women's curling program.”  

As a proud Trent alumnus, Coach Muldoon’s journey from MVP curler to provincial Coach of the Year reflects the strength of the Excalibur community and the impact of returning home to lead the next generation.