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The retired director of athletics for Rome Public Schools,
Coach Dain was a tremendous pioneer in the sport of ice
hockey. Charlie graduated from Dicksfield High School in
Maine in 1933, and later received his bachelor’s degree from
Springfield College in 1937 and his Master’s Degree in
physical education in 1938. In 1939 he married Janet Barr
and they happily lived for many years in their home on Jervis
Ave in Rome. Charlie and Janet had one son, Peter, who played hockey for RFA and Kent State College in the mid ‘60’s and still resides in Rome with his wife Grace.
Charlie played football, hockey, and baseball at Springfield College and later taught physical education in Westmoreland and Rushford, NY. He came to Rome in 1948 where he taught physical education and also coached hockey, baseball, and football for the Black & Orange. In 1958 he became Athletic Director of the Rome School District and led the way in building the program to its dominant level. Coach Dain retired in 1971.
Charlie made a huge impact on the foundation and popularity of hockey in Rome and was instrumental in bringing to life our Kennedy Arena. He also served on the committee that led to the many baseball fields in Griffiss Park. Coach Dain was elected into the NYS Coaches Hall of Fame for Hockey, and the Rome Sports Hall of Fame in 1985. As many can remember, Coach Dain was a great fan and regular attendee at RFA and youth hockey games, always standing in “his” spot behind the glass at the end of the rink. How lucky we all are for Coach Dain’s presence and efforts in the Rome sports community!!
A few months before his passing, the Rome Hockey Community dedicated the coach’s rooms at Kennedy Arena to Coach Dain. A plaque was given to Coach Dain that read:
To: “The Coach” Charlie Dain
The Rome Hockey Community would like to thank you for the role you have played in the development of countless young athletes.
Thanks for helping to provide both a facility and an atmosphere for the growth of hockey.
Thanks for asking the right questions, setting a good example and making sure we were coaching character as well as skills.
Thanks for being “The Coach”: a name earned only by a few.
 

Charlie was inducted into the New York State High School Hockey- Hall of Fame, March 2002, for his dedication to the sport as a truly great coach who has contributed noteworthy service to New York State high school hockey.