The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point athletic department has issued a statement announcing the resignation of men’s hockey head coach Joe Baldarotta. The resignation is effective Friday, April 6, but Baldarotta will remain as an associate lecturer in the Department of Health, Exercise Science and Athletics.
“We appreciate the many contributions Joe has made to Pointer athletics and Pointer men’s hockey in particular over the past 21 years,” UW-Stevens Point athletics director Frank O’Brien said in the release.
Baldarotta recently finished his 21st season behind the Pointer bench, the last sixteen of which he served as head coach. As head coach, Baldarotta guided Stevens Point to an overall record of 265-171-38 while posting an impressive 155-93-20 ledger against NCHA competition. The Pointers finished with a winning record in all but two of his seasons at the helm, and his 265 victories rank 21st all-time among Division III coaches.
During his tenure the Pointers won three NCHA Regular Season Championships and two NCHA Playoff titles. Also on his watch, the Pointers made three appearances in the NCAA Division III Championship game, finishing runner-up in 1992 and 1998 while claiming the program’s fourth national title in 1993. Baldarotta is the lone player or coach to have been involved in all six of the Pointers’ national title game appearances.
Following the 1993 season, Baldarotta was named NCAA Division III Coach of the Year by the AHCA. He has also claimed NCHA Coach of the Year honors four times, most recently in 2000.
Baldarotta did not comment on the situation in his resignation letter, and requested that his privacy be respected regarding the resignation.
UW-Stevens Point announced intentions to conduct a national search to fill the vacancy.
“We remain committed to providing a men’s hockey program that will enjoy strong student and community support,” O’Brien stated in the release.
