Cortland coach Tom Cranfield has accepted the position of Assistant Director of Athletics (Compliance/Scheduling) at SUNY Cortland. Cranfield was appointed to the position on an interim basis by athletic director Joan Sitterly beginning in July 2006 while also continuing his teaching and coaching duties.
To fulfill his new responsibilities on a permanent level, Cranfield is stepping down as the head coach of the Cortland men’s ice hockey team, a position he held for six seasons.
“I appreciate every opportunity SUNY Cortland has given me, both on and off the ice,” Cranfield said. “Although I will miss coaching, I look forward to the new challenges that lie ahead.”
During his tenure behind the Cortland bench, Cranfield led the Red Dragons to four consecutive SUNYAC playoff berths from 2002-05. Three of his players are currently playing professional hockey. Prior to Cortland, Cranfield served as head ice hockey coach and taught physical education at Northfield Mount Hermon Prep School in Massachusetts from 1995-2001. He was an assistant coach at Cortland for two seasons from 1993-95.
A standout defenseman at Cortland from 1989-93, Cranfield is the school’s career assist leader (73) and ranks 12th in overall scoring with 93 points. As a senior in 1992-93, he earned first-team All-SUNYAC honors as the Red Dragons finished 19-9 that season and advanced to the finals of the conference postseason tournament.
Cranfield was a team captain and earned the program’s Red Letter Award in both his junior and senior seniors. He earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education in 1993 and a master’s degree in education in 1995.
Cranfield and his wife, Tara, currently reside in Cortland with their daughter, Gabrielle.
