Re: Bentley Hockey 2012-2013: The New Era of JAR Pride Begins
*Edit- women's soccer team was 0-15-2 in 2010, not 0-16
I''l try to address a few things then move on to my changes...
1) I understand the academic department is more behind the team now than it has been in the past. This trend NEEDS to continue. That said, I know Frank Serretore (AF) consistently complains about the atmosphere out at Bentley and similar schools (SHU, AIC). This seems trivial but I think this sort of thing is dangerous. The Serretore family is well respected in the hockey community and while a nut job, the guy knows his stuff. The academic department doesn't understand that hosting 0 out of conf games does not look good for a program. Overall on this point though, I agree, given the little bit that Bentley offers it's athletics, they've treated the hockey program much better in recent years.
2) I understand that you expect some lag time when switching assistants. However, you are putting way too much stock in playing for one coaching staff or another. Kids that come to Bentley come to play. Period. Some may like they can get a good education while there, some may like the area etc. The biggest factors are playing time, program history (wins/ losses/ titles), fitting in, academics. And given the lack of options for good players out of juniors that want to play in college (there's what 58 programs), schools like Bentley are going to have good years. The key is to look for consistency though. On a team that turns over every year, there's only one constant- the coach.
3) I'm not saying Bentley should be getting consistent votes or even be ranked. I'm noting they have never received A vote. To me, that's an issue. Look at the current poll- HC and RMU both have votes.
4) I agree with most of this. Again though, while shuttle buses and extra intermission handouts are good given Bentley's history, you need to compare this overall to other schools. The ugliest part of the situation is not having an on-campus (this should just say decent) rink.
My Changes (in order by number)
3. Boot Defelice and most of the athletic department. They've fostered not only a bad hockey environment but have allowed various teams/ coaches multiple [bad] losing seasons. The women's soccer team was completely defeated two years ago (0-16, not sure what the term is for this other than winless). There was a group of girls, from what I heard of the situation, at least half the team that put together a presentation for Defelice on pursuing a new coach. Defelice's reaction- got those girls a sports psychologist to deal with their problem. This is just one example and I understand Bentley isn't going to pursue their athletic program like Boston College. I've heard similar rumblings from other programs as well, though not to that extent. For a school so draped over itself in its business school, you would think they could recognize that a solid athletics department is like free (not really) marketing without the costly consultants. As the AD, Defelice is the responsible party. Unfortunately with that sort of position should come the risk of losing your job should the programs not perform. This of course will not happen as it is something that is ingrained in Bentley's leaders. They simply do not value a strong athletics program and appear content with mediocrity.
4. Thank Soderquist for his time and show him the door. There are plenty of promising coaches in the ranks across the country that would love to make a jump to division one and try taking the program to a new level. Soderquist has tallied an average of just over 12 wins a season in his time at Bentley. They play 35 + games a year. If I'm the AD, that doesn't cut it- even if I have to personally go search for a coach the next year. Like I've said before, he may have gotten the program on good footing and as a supporter, I appreciate that but he's not taking Bentley hockey anywhere fast. His hockey background lacks and I question his leadership. He turns d-men into forwards and vice versa and back again. It's sad to watch players (Olsen, Quartuccio, Kayfes, Fitstephens) try to make this switch at a high level and understandably fail. As noted before, the team leaders are a direct representation of the coach and the environment he creates/ allows. If he allows cheap play at practice, it will come out in the games (i.e. Preece, Kayfes). Unfortunately bad things tend to show at the worst times of the year. Bentley has made the final four of AHA twice? Yet has lost to teams below them in playoffs how many times? I have more to say but this is getting long.
5. Bring in a hockey specific trainer. I've heard over the years rumblings about guys getting burned out. That's a major issue.
1. Get some helmet stickers for God's sakes. I think every division 3 team can say they have that.
2. Tell the professors and board members their pay will be cut to finance a rink in the future if they don't approve one now. This is a bigger deal than the school thinks. Bentley will never be respected in college hockey as a whole playing out of the JAR.
That's it
*Edit- women's soccer team was 0-15-2 in 2010, not 0-16
Originally posted by eXcSports
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1) I understand the academic department is more behind the team now than it has been in the past. This trend NEEDS to continue. That said, I know Frank Serretore (AF) consistently complains about the atmosphere out at Bentley and similar schools (SHU, AIC). This seems trivial but I think this sort of thing is dangerous. The Serretore family is well respected in the hockey community and while a nut job, the guy knows his stuff. The academic department doesn't understand that hosting 0 out of conf games does not look good for a program. Overall on this point though, I agree, given the little bit that Bentley offers it's athletics, they've treated the hockey program much better in recent years.
2) I understand that you expect some lag time when switching assistants. However, you are putting way too much stock in playing for one coaching staff or another. Kids that come to Bentley come to play. Period. Some may like they can get a good education while there, some may like the area etc. The biggest factors are playing time, program history (wins/ losses/ titles), fitting in, academics. And given the lack of options for good players out of juniors that want to play in college (there's what 58 programs), schools like Bentley are going to have good years. The key is to look for consistency though. On a team that turns over every year, there's only one constant- the coach.
3) I'm not saying Bentley should be getting consistent votes or even be ranked. I'm noting they have never received A vote. To me, that's an issue. Look at the current poll- HC and RMU both have votes.
4) I agree with most of this. Again though, while shuttle buses and extra intermission handouts are good given Bentley's history, you need to compare this overall to other schools. The ugliest part of the situation is not having an on-campus (this should just say decent) rink.
My Changes (in order by number)
3. Boot Defelice and most of the athletic department. They've fostered not only a bad hockey environment but have allowed various teams/ coaches multiple [bad] losing seasons. The women's soccer team was completely defeated two years ago (0-16, not sure what the term is for this other than winless). There was a group of girls, from what I heard of the situation, at least half the team that put together a presentation for Defelice on pursuing a new coach. Defelice's reaction- got those girls a sports psychologist to deal with their problem. This is just one example and I understand Bentley isn't going to pursue their athletic program like Boston College. I've heard similar rumblings from other programs as well, though not to that extent. For a school so draped over itself in its business school, you would think they could recognize that a solid athletics department is like free (not really) marketing without the costly consultants. As the AD, Defelice is the responsible party. Unfortunately with that sort of position should come the risk of losing your job should the programs not perform. This of course will not happen as it is something that is ingrained in Bentley's leaders. They simply do not value a strong athletics program and appear content with mediocrity.
4. Thank Soderquist for his time and show him the door. There are plenty of promising coaches in the ranks across the country that would love to make a jump to division one and try taking the program to a new level. Soderquist has tallied an average of just over 12 wins a season in his time at Bentley. They play 35 + games a year. If I'm the AD, that doesn't cut it- even if I have to personally go search for a coach the next year. Like I've said before, he may have gotten the program on good footing and as a supporter, I appreciate that but he's not taking Bentley hockey anywhere fast. His hockey background lacks and I question his leadership. He turns d-men into forwards and vice versa and back again. It's sad to watch players (Olsen, Quartuccio, Kayfes, Fitstephens) try to make this switch at a high level and understandably fail. As noted before, the team leaders are a direct representation of the coach and the environment he creates/ allows. If he allows cheap play at practice, it will come out in the games (i.e. Preece, Kayfes). Unfortunately bad things tend to show at the worst times of the year. Bentley has made the final four of AHA twice? Yet has lost to teams below them in playoffs how many times? I have more to say but this is getting long.
5. Bring in a hockey specific trainer. I've heard over the years rumblings about guys getting burned out. That's a major issue.
1. Get some helmet stickers for God's sakes. I think every division 3 team can say they have that.
2. Tell the professors and board members their pay will be cut to finance a rink in the future if they don't approve one now. This is a bigger deal than the school thinks. Bentley will never be respected in college hockey as a whole playing out of the JAR.
That's it
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