Eric Tarakjian joined the staff as an assistant coach of the New York University men’s and women’s golf teams prior to the 2018-19 season. His first year turned out to be an historic one as the women’s squad captured the NCAA Division III National Championship.
Assisting Head Coach Brad Johnson in all facets of the program, Tarakjian helped lead the Violets to six tournament championships during the regular season, including both the University Athletic Association (UAA) and Liberty League titles, as NYU earned UAA Coaching Staff of the Year honors. The squad then headed to the NCAA Championship, which was held at the Bay Oaks Country Club in Houston, TX, from May 14-17. Despite entering the final round in second place eight strokes off the lead, the Violets shot a tournament-record-tying 294 and edged out Williams College to capture the first-ever national title in the history of NYU’s 12-year-old varsity program.
Individually, there were numerous accomplishments and accolades produced by the players in Tarakjian’s first season. Freshman Arshia Mahant, who was the National Championship Runner-up, was a Women’s Golf Coaches Association (WGCA) Honorable Mention All-American and the Liberty League Rookie of the Year. Sophomore Jessica Wu finished ninth at the NCAA Championship and was also named WGCA Honorable Mention All-American. Sophomore Navika Kuchakulla won the Jekyll Island Invitational and the Liberty League Championship and was named UAA Co-Player of the Year (along with senior Patty Treevichaphan). Senior Jenni Bluetling won the St. Lawrence Invitational, while junior Arisa Kimura captured the General’s Invitational.
The men’s team also had an outstanding season in ‘18-19, winning its second consecutive Liberty League Championship, earning another NCAA Championship bid and finishing 27th nationally. During the season, the Violets captured the St. Lawrence Invitational, placed second at the NYU Spring Invite and posted three third-place tournament finishes.
Tarakjian, fellow assistant Todd Kolean and Johnson received both UAA and Liberty League Men’s Coaching Staff of the Year honors. Freshman Joseph Burlison was a breakout performer, earning Liberty League Co-Rookie of the Year and First Team honors while also being named to the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) All-Freshman Team and Division III Ping All-Northeast Region. Sophomore Robbie Keyes was also named Division III Ping All-Northeast Region and freshman Chris Lee received First Team All-Liberty League honors.
A 2017 NYU graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in real estate, Tarakjian was a two-year member of the Violets’ golf team. Serving as captain during his senior campaign, Tarakjian led the squad to the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Championship with a first-place finish at the two-day tournament. His total of 141 bested the 91-player field
During his NYU career, Tarakjian was twice selected UAA Athlete of the Week and Liberty League Performer of the Week. He received ECAC First Team honors as a senior.
Since graduating, Tarakjian has worked for City Co-Pilot, a company that handles property management in New York City. While at NYU, he did a summer internship for American Property Enterprises.
A native of San Diego, CA, Tarakjian resides in Manhattan.
