Will remain as full-time NCAA compliance coordinator

RINDGE, N.H. (March 5, 2007) - Jay McCormack has resigned his post as head ice hockey coach at Franklin Pierce to become the athletic department's first full-time NCAA compliance coordinator. The announcement was made today by Bruce Kirsh, Vice President and Director of Athletics at the College.

"Coach McCormack has resigned effective immediately to focus his attention on his responsibilities as compliance coordinator at the College," said Kirsh. "This is being done based upon the recommendation of our recent NCAA Blueprint visit which recommended we place someone in that position full time with no coaching responsibilities. I wish to thank Jay for his last 17 years of service in which he helped move Franklin Pierce club ice hockey into the highly competitive intercollegiate competition of the NE-10 and the ECAC."

"The NCAA has put a high priority on the compliance office at our institution," said McCormack. "During my short tenure as the compliance coordinator I have realized that it is a position that demands my full attention, which I can not give during the hockey season."       

McCormack steps down after 17 years at the helm of the Franklin Pierce ice hockey program, overseeing the program's transition from a highly successful club program into varsity status as a member of both the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC)-Northeast and Northeast-10 Conference for the past five seasons. In addition to his duties with the ice hockey program, McCormack is in his first year as compliance coordinator on a part-time basis and has also served six seasons as head coach of the men's lacrosse program from 2001-2006.

McCormack led the ice hockey program to a 156-188-22 (.456) overall record in his 17 seasons at the helm, including a 139-95-13 (.589) clip as a club program. The Ravens posted a 17-93-9 (.181) mark in their five years since becoming a full varsity member in 2002. They have made the NE-10 Tournament each year since 2003, but have fallen in the first round each year.

Franklin Pierce has seen steady improvement as a varsity program. The Ravens were 0-22-1 (0-5 NE-10) in their first varsity season in 2002-03 and finished with an overall record of 5-17-2 (1-4 NE-10) this winter, getting off to a 3-1-1 start - its best at the varsity level. The Ravens posted a program-best six wins in 2004-05.

Under McCormack's guidance, the ice hockey program produced six ECAC-Northeast All-Academic selections, two NE-10 All-Academic picks and one All-Northeast-10 honoree.

During the program's club era, Franklin Pierce made two appearances in the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) Division II National Tournament, including 2001-02 campaign as the fourth-ranked club program from the Northeast, and 1994-95 while posting a 17-2-2 overall record.

"I have held this position in either a part-time or full-time capacity for the past 17 years and it has been a great joy to be in charge of its growth from a club sport to a full fledged NCAA Division II program," said McCormack. "I leave the program with mixed emotions but memories that will last a lifetime."

A search for a new ice hockey head coach will begin immediately.

"Following a careful assessment of our current program, we will determine a game plan in replacing Jay," said Kirsh. "This assessment will begin immediately so we can find the best person available to continue the advancement of our program."