Nazareth Ice Hockey Program Set to Debut 2012-2013

From Nazareth College Athletics Department

ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Nazareth College will add men’s ice hockey to its intercollegiate athletic offerings with competition at the NCAA Division III level slated to begin with the 2012-13 season. With no on-campus playing venue, Nazareth is still in negotiations to determine the best location for its newest team. Athletic Director Pete Bothner also said that the athletic department would move forward in the next few weeks to conduct a nationwide search to hire a head coach.

George Roll

According to a report in the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, former Oswego State bench boss George Roll will be named head coach in a press conference on Thursday. Roll, 48, coached at Clarkson for eight seasons, compiling a 130-142-33 record before being relieved of his duties in April. He guided the Golden Knights into the NCAA tournament twice, including in 2006-07 when the East Regional was played at Blue Cross Arena at the Rochester Community War Memorial.Before taking over the Clarkson program, Roll coached seven seasons at Oswego State and was named the NCAA Division III coach of the year in 2002-03.

Nazareth also has petitioned the ECAC West Division to join that conference. Elmira, Hobart, Manhattanville, Neumann and Utica are current members.

“We think this will be a great new program for Nazareth College and for the larger Rochester community,” said Nazareth president Daan Braveman. “Hockey is a popular sport at the collegiate level and we think this will be received as a good addition to our athletic landscape.” In deciding to add ice hockey, Nazareth has used the assistance of local resident Craig Dahl, who has nearly three decades of hockey coaching experience, including 19 as a Division I head coach at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota. “We feel fortunate that we can utilize Craig as a great resource in this overall process,” Bothner said. “He has a lot of experience and can bring forth some great insight.”

Men’s ice hockey will be Nazareth’s 24th intercollegiate team. The Golden Flyers are members of the National Collegiate Athletic Association and recently won the Division III national championship in men’s volleyball.