Re: Northeastern Huskies Offseason (Discipline: let's find it)
A note from Greg Cronin as forwarded to the Friends of NU Hockey:
"Friends of NU Hockey,
I appreciate all of your support over the last six years. When I arrived back home to Boston and NU after a ten year hiatus, the college hockey landscape had changed dramatically. Cell phone, the internet, emails, family advisors and even ATM machines were absent in 1995. I was overwhelmed at times with the pace of life for a college hockey coach, particularly those first six months. I needed to rely on what will always be our great asset: people.
The first two seasons were very challenging for players and fans alike. But we continued to show progress and we were bolstered by the faith you had in us. Without your support, we would not have achieved several proud moments: our first 2nd place finish in Hockey East history, our 25 win season, a trip to the NCAA, 2 trips to the Hockey East Final Four, 2 Beanpot Championship games and the most wins ever over that last 4 year stretch at NU. As I said at the banquet, I really believe that NU is finally getting a glimpse of what can be done.
When I arrived in 2005, I asked the people in power one question: Can you sustain a high level of success here at NU? The answers were all conditional. IF we built a better facility. IF we increase the budgets. IF we get bigger crowds. Well, we were able to get these “keys”. If we weren’t so injured the last few years, I really felt we would have had more wins, and more success to sustain the 2008 season. Regardless, we battled and had a few almost: the Beanpot Championship and BC in the Semi’s.
The resurrection of the Friends of NU Hockey was one of the biggest blessings over the last five years. Its ability to manage meetings, host events and drum up alumni support is critical. George and Louise donate a ton of time and effort while Presidents Jim Averill, Craig Frank and Chuck Marshall have given us leadership and guidance. I am sure Jim Madigan’s fund raising and development skills will strengthen the function of the Friends Group.
I am sad to leave. NU has become a family to me. I have a profound appreciation for the faith you placed in me. When we went 3-24 that first year, I heard plenty of hecklers in the crowd (from a very small population of fans!), but I always knew that when I walked into the Makris Lounge, I had friends and supporters offering encouragement. You have no idea how inspiring that was for me.
I can leave NU knowing that over the last six years, my staff gave it their ALL: Albie,Sebastian, Mark, JB, Matt, Dan, Matt Nareski, Bob Saunders, John Carratu, Joe Santilli, Brendan Flynn, Shawn McEachern, Brendan Walsh, and Gene Reilly. The last few years we had no turnover in staff, which was awesome. Albie, Seb, JB, Mark and Matt were with hockey exclusively, and it made us a very efficient group. We worked very well together and were committing great recruiting classes. These recruits reflect my question of six years ago: can you sustainsuccess at NU? We think that this group and the next to follow, would have built off of the most recent class of Jamie and Anthony etc.
I hope we can all support Jim Madigan and the team as I move on to Toronto, Albie to Harvard and Sebastian to Houston. I know that there have been some defections since we left but I am confident WE can get through it. Northeastern is a great place.
-Greg Cronin"
