What's new
By:
USCHO Fan Forum

This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

  • The USCHO Fan Forum has migrated to a new plaform, xenForo. Most of the function of the forum should work in familiar ways. Please note that you can switch between light and dark modes by clicking on the gear icon in the upper right of the main menu bar. We are hoping that this new platform will prove to be faster and more reliable. Please feel free to explore its features.

RPI 2023 Off-season: We March Fourth Into the Off-season

Lee Mc Elroy retiring

May 22, 2023

To: The Rensselaer Community
From: Martin A. Schmidt ’81, Ph.D., President
Re: Retirement of Lee McElroy

Please join me in extending sincere appreciation to Lee McElroy, associate vice president and director of athletics, who is retiring effective June 30, 2023.

Lee has led Rensselaer Athletics since 2015, after serving for 14 years as vice president and director of athletics at the University at Albany. During this time he was appointed to the NCAA Management Council and elected president of the National Association of College Athletic Directors (NACDA); won three America East Commissioner’s Cups in 2007, 2013, and 2014; earned 32 NCAA post-season berths; won 63 America East conference titles; was named to the National Association of College Athletics Directors Hall of Fame in 2012; served as President of the American East Board of Directors 2007 and 2011; served on the Board of Directors of the United Way; served as a member of the Board of Trustees for the United States Sports Academy; and served as a Trustee for the College of Saint Rose.

In addition, he served as chair of the Liberty League Council of Athletics Directors 2020-2022 and currently serves on the board of directors of the National Association of College Athletics Directors (NACDA).

Lee was honored with LifePath’s Third Age Achievement Award in April 2022. The award is designed to pay tribute to members of the Capital Region who make significant contributions to the community after turning 60.

At Rensselaer, he has overseen the Institute’s 12 men’s and 11 women’s NCAA intercollegiate teams (21 Division III, 2 Division I) involving nearly 600 student-athletes, as well as the intramurals program, which engages over 2,000 students.

And it has been another great year for our athletes. The Engineers brought home the Dutchman Shoes Trophy, and nine of our football players were inducted into the National Football Foundation Honor Society. Men’s hockey won the Big Red Freakout game, women’s hockey brought home the Mayor’s Cup, and the men’s tennis and golf teams each won their Liberty League championships, advancing to the 2023 NCAA post-season. Also, 70% of our spring teams — men’s track and field, men’s tennis, softball, men’s lacrosse, golf, and women’s tennis — are nationally ranked.

So, let us all thank Lee for his leadership in creating a robust, successful, team-oriented Department of Athletics. We extend to Lee and his family best wishes in retirement.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
DavidNardolillo said:
Lee Mc Elroy retiring

May 22, 2023

To: The Rensselaer Community
From: Martin A. Schmidt ’81, Ph.D., President
Re: Retirement of Lee McElroy

Please join me in extending sincere appreciation to Lee McElroy, associate vice president and director of athletics, who is retiring effective June 30, 2023.

Lee has led Rensselaer Athletics since 2015, after serving for 14 years as vice president and director of athletics at the University at Albany. During this time he was appointed to the NCAA Management Council and elected president of the National Association of College Athletic Directors (NACDA); won three America East Commissioner’s Cups in 2007, 2013, and 2014; earned 32 NCAA post-season berths; won 63 America East conference titles; was named to the National Association of College Athletics Directors Hall of Fame in 2012; served as President of the American East Board of Directors 2007 and 2011; served on the Board of Directors of the United Way; served as a member of the Board of Trustees for the United States Sports Academy; and served as a Trustee for the College of Saint Rose.

In addition, he served as chair of the Liberty League Council of Athletics Directors 2020-2022 and currently serves on the board of directors of the National Association of College Athletics Directors (NACDA).

Lee was honored with LifePath’s Third Age Achievement Award in April 2022. The award is designed to pay tribute to members of the Capital Region who make significant contributions to the community after turning 60.

At Rensselaer, he has overseen the Institute’s 12 men’s and 11 women’s NCAA intercollegiate teams (21 Division III, 2 Division I) involving nearly 600 student-athletes, as well as the intramurals program, which engages over 2,000 students.

And it has been another great year for our athletes. The Engineers brought home the Dutchman Shoes Trophy, and nine of our football players were inducted into the National Football Foundation Honor Society. Men’s hockey won the Big Red Freakout game, women’s hockey brought home the Mayor’s Cup, and the men’s tennis and golf teams each won their Liberty League championships, advancing to the 2023 NCAA post-season. Also, 70% of our spring teams — men’s track and field, men’s tennis, softball, men’s lacrosse, golf, and women’s tennis — are nationally ranked.

So, let us all thank Lee for his leadership in creating a robust, successful, team-oriented Department of Athletics. We extend to Lee and his family best wishes in retirement.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Just saw this email on my laptop. This is a very gracious and generous letter from President Schmidt.
 
Last edited:
Today is 23 May 2023. There are 137 days until RPI's next game.


This is based upon 7 October 2023 for the start of next season.
 
Ralph Baer said:
He would be a great choice.
Click to expand...

Kevin has certainly been a good soldier ...but its anyone's guess what Marty plans for the search.

One wild card I'd throw out is BU's Drew Marrachello who folks may not know, married and raised his kids locally. He was AD at HVCC before joining BU and he coached football at RPI years ago. Obviously it's not as glamorous a job as BU, but If he had any interest in getting back home at this stage of his career, then Marty needs to give him a call ! :) That's my shoot from the hip candidate !! HA HA
 
Wicked Slappaahs said:
Kevin has certainly been a good soldier ...but its anyone's guess what Marty plans for the search.

One wild card I'd throw out is BU's Drew Marrachello who folks may not know, married and raised his kids locally. He was AD at HVCC before joining BU and he coached football at RPI years ago. Obviously it's not as glamorous a job as BU, but If he had any interest in getting back home at this stage of his career, then Marty needs to give him a call ! :) That's my shoot from the hip candidate !! HA HA
Click to expand...

Interesting possibility, but his bio says he's a native of Arlington, MA (less than 10 miles from BU) so that job may have been his chance to return home. My guess is that Dr. Schmidt is going to be looking for someone that knows how to raise funds because it's definitely time either for a new arena or another major renovation of HFH (probably more like the '82 renovation than the less ambitious one during the ECAV era).

In either case best wishes to Dr. McElroy in retirement. This played out pretty much as I expected. I figured they'd cut a deal that he'd stay on for a year after Shirley's departure by which time the new guy would have figured out what he wanted to do with athletics. Let's hope it's a good plan.
 
Today is 24 May 2023. There are 136 days until RPI's next game.


This is based upon 7 October 2023 for the start of next season.
 
rpi82 said:
Interesting possibility, but his bio says he's a native of Arlington, MA (less than 10 miles from BU) so that job may have been his chance to return home. My guess is that Dr. Schmidt is going to be looking for someone that knows how to raise funds because it's definitely time either for a new arena or another major renovation of HFH (probably more like the '82 renovation than the less ambitious one during the ECAV era).

In either case best wishes to Dr. McElroy in retirement. This played out pretty much as I expected. I figured they'd cut a deal that he'd stay on for a year after Shirley's departure by which time the new guy would have figured out what he wanted to do with athletics. Let's hope it's a good plan.
Click to expand...

Its a total wild--- guess on my part. But if RPI is serious about restoring the hockey program, he'd be my first call. He's done a ton at BU including overseeing the hiring of guys named Quinn and Pandalfo, helping create Frozen Fenway, etc. etc. RPI could afford him -- if the desire was there to elevate BOTH ice hockey programs. Lest we forget, the women's team has been scraping bottom in the ECAC the last few seasons, despite having some VERY good talented ladies on the squad. They need new blood at the helm I'm afraid.

This is a guy who knows what it takes to engage alumni, fans and corporate sponsors...gotta at least pick up the phone and the question !
 
Wicked Slappaahs said:
Its a total wild--- guess on my part. But if RPI is serious about restoring the hockey program, he'd be my first call. He's done a ton at BU including overseeing the hiring of guys named Quinn and Pandalfo, helping create Frozen Fenway, etc. etc. RPI could afford him -- if the desire was there to elevate BOTH ice hockey programs. Lest we forget, the women's team has been scraping bottom in the ECAC the last few seasons, despite having some VERY good talented ladies on the squad. They need new blood at the helm I'm afraid.

This is a guy who knows what it takes to engage alumni, fans and corporate sponsors...gotta at least pick up the phone and the question !
Click to expand...

Slappaah, you and your family have been RPI fans for a long time. What it takes to win? Most importantly, commitment from the top and resources for the student athletes, which RPI is 0 for 2.
Heck, look at the floor at Houston Field House for example. However, I deeply admire a loyal fan that continues to dream.
 
sk8tronthepond said:
Slappaah, you and your family have been RPI fans for a long time. What it takes to win? Most importantly, commitment from the top and resources for the student athletes, which RPI is 0 for 2.
Heck, look at the floor at Houston Field House for example. However, I deeply admire a loyal fan that continues to dream.
Click to expand...

I think both of those are coming in time based on things Marty has said. I hope they are at least!
 
sk8tronthepond said:
Slappaah, you and your family have been RPI fans for a long time. What it takes to win? Most importantly, commitment from the top and resources for the student athletes, which RPI is 0 for 2.
Heck, look at the floor at Houston Field House for example. However, I deeply admire a loyal fan that continues to dream.
Click to expand...

Cannot disagree with any of this. I can only draw glimmer of hope from folks I know who have interacted with the new Prez ---- and each have separately related that he "gets it".... I actually had a conversation just the other day with some one who's a major backer of the school and the hockey team.

Of course only time will tell. This isn't rocket science we're talking about -- but you said it, it's only be possible with a commitment from the top and resources to back it up.
That's really why the next AD hire will be pivotal in determining which path both the men's and women's programs take. This person will be charged with leading the future vision. I've long ago given up on expectations...but I can dream ! HA HA
 
Today is 25 May 2023. There are 135 days until RPI's next game.


This is based upon 7 October 2023 for the start of next season.
 
Wicked Slappaahs said:
Kevin has certainly been a good soldier ...but its anyone's guess what Marty plans for the search.

One wild card I'd throw out is BU's Drew Marrachello who folks may not know, married and raised his kids locally. He was AD at HVCC before joining BU and he coached football at RPI years ago. Obviously it's not as glamorous a job as BU, but If he had any interest in getting back home at this stage of his career, then Marty needs to give him a call ! :) That's my shoot from the hip candidate !! HA HA
Click to expand...

FWIW, he must have been an AC at RPI. See https://sports-chronicles.com/rpif/pages/head_coaches.

I have a hard time believing a successful D-I Athletic Director would want to go to a D-III school. One who has baggage -- yes.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top