Ron Fogarty, assistant coach at Bowling Green, 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.”
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.
“I am excited and honored to be named the first head coach of the men’s ice hockey program at Adrian College,” said Forgarty. “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.”
Fogarty will take over the duties as head men’s ice hockey coach at Adrian College in early November.
“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,” Fogarty said. “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.”
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. 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 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 Raiders’ 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 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 said he 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.”
Fogarty and his wife, Monica, have three children, Jordan, Rachel and Emma.
