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Ron
Fogarty, former assistant ice hockey coach at
Bowling Green State University (Ohio), has been
named the first head men’s ice hockey coach
in the history of Adrian College.
“To
say that we are thrilled to attract Ron Fogarty
to this position is an understatement,”
said Adrian College Athletic Director Mike Duffy.
“We
have been excited about the construction of our
ice arena and building ice sport programs from
the beginning. Attracting Ron Fogarty, with his
experience of developing talent, creates an opportunity
for our future student athletes to be coached
by one of the best around,” Duffy finished.
In his coaching career, Fogarty has compiled an
impressive resume of developing future NHL draft
picks and creating winning programs. Working under
head coach Scott Paluch at BGSU, Fogarty tutored
five NHL draft picks in four seasons.
Fogarty commented, “I am excited and honored
to be named the first head coach of the men’s
ice hockey program at Adrian College.”
“The
commitment for excellence, and the vision that
the college has, will not only attract great student-athletes
from Michigan, but from other areas in the U.S.
and from Canada,” Fogarty said.
Adrian
College recently announced plans and broke ground
for the $5.5 million Arrington Ice Arena which
will be located on the AC campus and house intercollegiate
ice hockey and synchronized skating teams.
The
facility will be completed in August 2007 and
the Bulldogs will begin NCAA Division III Ice
Hockey competition in the 2007-08 season.
“The
ice hockey program here at Adrian College is a
huge story in the making,” said Adrian College
President Dr. Jeffrey R. Docking.
“We
are in an ideal location for recruiting ice hockey
talent. We will have a brand-new, state-of-the-art
facility in September, and we just added a passionate,
young head coach with Division I and professional
ice hockey experience,” Docking ended.
Fogarty
will take over the duties as head men’s
ice hockey coach at Adrian College in early November.
Coach
Fogarty commented on what future student athletes
can expect at Adrian College.
“With
a new hockey program and arena, along with the
support from the college and community, the recruit
has an opportunity to be a part of something special.”
Regarding
his new employer, Fogarty commented, “Adrian
College has a great environment where the student
athlete has an opportunity to obtain an excellent
four year undergraduate degree. It is a small,
liberal arts college that is committed to intercollegiate
athletics.”
With
the help of Fogarty, the 2005-06 BGSU Falcons
ranked third in the Central Collegiate Hockey
Association (CCHA) in goals-per-game at 3.26 and
racked up wins against Michigan, Nebraska-Omaha,
Notre Dame, Michigan State, and Ohio State.
At
BGSU, Fogarty worked with NHL draft picks Jonathan
Matsumoto (Philadelphia Flyers), Jonathan Sigalet
(Boston Bruins), Alex Foster (Toronto Maple Leafs),
Jordan Sigalet (Boston Bruins) and Kevin Bieksa
(Vancouver Canucks). Last season, Matsumoto teamed
with Foster to form the second-highest scoring
tandem in the country with 99 points.
“I
want to thank Coach Paluch for his guidance over
the past four years and preparing me for this
great endeavor,” Fogarty said about his
time at Bowling Green.
Prior
to coaching at Bowling Green, Fogarty served as
the top assistant coach at Clarkson University
(New York). He helped lead the Golden Knights
to a 17-15-6 record in 2001-02, and coached Erik
Cole, a future Carolina Hurricaine, Randy Jones,
a Philadelphia Flyers free agent, and Rob McFeeters,
the 2001 Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference
(ECAC) Rookie of the Year.
Before
his stint at Clarkson, Fogarty was a member of
the Colgate University (New York) coaching staff
for three years. At CU, he coached Andy McDonald,
who later signed with the Anaheim Mighty Ducks,
and recruited Erkki Rajamake, who was selected
by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 1999 draft.
Fogarty
was a four-year member of the Colgate ice hockey
team before graduating in 1995. He was named to
the 1992 ECAC All-Rookie team and received the
Colgate Coaches’ Award in 1994. He participated
in the Senior All-Star game following his senior
season and ranks 20th on the Red Raider’s
all-time scoring list with 141 points.
A
native of Sarnia, Ontario, Fogarty played professional
hockey for the Memphis Riverkings of the Central
Hockey League during the 1995-96 season. He was
voted to the All-Rookie team and was honored with
the team's Mr. Hustle Award.
Fogarty
gained valuable coaching and recruiting experience
from 1991-93 when he worked with the Bluewater
Sharks (Bantam) of the Summer AAA. During his
tenure the Sharks compiled a 57-19-3 record and
Fogarty was named the Coach of the Year after
just one season.
Fogarty
will bring his own coaching style to the ice at
Adrian College.
“My
coaching style will be up-tempo, which encompasses
a positive and energetic team that is accountable
and takes ownership. I envision a team that will
have a relentless work ethic on and off the ice.”
“The
opportunity to lead a program is always attractive,
but the opportunity to help start one is even
more appealing. I believe in the vision that President
Docking, Executive Vice President Rick Creehan
and Athletic Director Mike Duffy have for the
men’s hockey team,” ended Fogarty.
Fogarty
and his wife, Monica, have three children, Jordan,
Rachel and Emma. |