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Oswego State Lakers Ice
Hockey Coach Ed
Gosek ’83, M ’01
was recently named Division III Ice Hockey Coach
of the Year. |
Leading the Oswego State Lakers to a 23-3-3 record and
the school’s first NCAA Division III Men’s
Ice Hockey title, Coach Ed Gosek
’83, M ’01 was recently named the
Men’s Division III Ice Hockey Coach of the Year.
Gosek received the AHCA Edward Jeremiah Award, in honor
of the great Dartmouth College head coach, after completing
his fourth season as head coach of the Lakers. Prior
to being hired as head coach Gosek spent 13 years as
an assistant hockey coach under the direction of Don
Unger ’71 and
George Roll.
Although this is his first time receiving a national
award, Gosek has been recognized in the past for his
hard work and dedication to the Lakers by being named
the SUNYAC Conference Coach of the Year.
Gosek began his hockey career as a student at Oswego,
during the program’s early stages. His coaches
included some of Oswego’s Athletic Hall of Fame
members, founding Ice Hockey Head Coach George
Crowe and legendary Emeritus Ice Hockey Coach
Herb Hammond.
As head coach of the Lakers Gosek works with 25 players
each season. He has seen about 40 to 45 players involved
with the hockey program since starting his position
four years ago.
“We try to find players who can not only play
hockey but who practice what we preach,” Gosek
said. “We really approach it [hockey] as a family-type
atmosphere.”
Each player must represent the team well, the school
well, and carry out the hockey tradition, according
to Gosek. This year the team of 25 carried out the hard
work and dedication needed to become the NCAA Division
III champions.
“With this group of players, they bought into
their chemistry and realized the importance of being
a team,” Gosek said.
Not only is Gosek proud to coach the winning team, he
takes great pride in representing SUNY Oswego and its
hockey followers.
“The college made a commitment by building this
facility [Campus Center], and so did the alumni who
paid their dues at Romney Field House,” he said.
Gosek received over 500 e-mails, as well as hundreds
of cards and phone calls from alumni congratulating
him on the historic NCAA win.
“It’s nice to hear from alumni who are excited
for the school and the program,” he said.
Gosek hopes that this accomplishment will bring recognition
to SUNY Oswego’s athletic department and possibly
help other coaches with their sports endeavors.
“The players see that I’m willing to do
whatever it takes to help make the program successful,”
Gosek said. “ I want to lead by example.
“Yes, we want to win, but it’s not win at
all costs. No cutting corners, play with integrity,
be humble, do things the right way. It’s the will
to win.”
It was that same “will to win” that drove
the Lakers to victory three years in a row as SUNYAC
champions. Last year, 16 out of 21 players were freshmen
on the team.
“That’s an incredible feat,” Gosek
said. “The kids keep working hard and it paid
off this year.”
Aside from the hard workouts, long practices, travel
and schoolwork, Gosek finds time to build the “family
atmosphere,” with his players. During their four
years on the team, a mutual respect develops. There
are jokes and laughter, and the players learn that they
can go to their coach to talk about things other than
hockey.
“They keep me young,” Gosek said with a
smile. “I enjoy practice every day. They’re
enjoyable to be around. You become friends with the
players.”
Gazing at a poster on his office wall of the Lakers
holding their NCAA trophy, Gosek said, “You couldn’t
ask for a better season.” To Gosek the trophy
represents hard work, dedication, a sense of accomplishment
and pride for Oswego and pride for his players, three
of whom will not be returning next season, Captain Ryan
Woodward ’07, Ryan
Koresky ’07 and Trevor
Gilligan ’07.
What’s next for the Lakers?
“You have to refocus,” Gosek said. “Start
at the bottom of the hill again.
“It’s a new team; it will be new leadership.
You have to be willing to sacrifice and do things just
like we did this season.”
Returning players will spend the summer practicing and
preparing for next season, new recruits will join the
Oswego Lakers and Coach Ed Gosek will do his best to
give Oswego hockey fans a reason to watch the NCAAs
in Lake Placid next winter.
“I love my job,” Gosek said. “I’m
grateful to the college for giving me this opportunity
after 13 years as an assistant coach. I don’t
look at it like a job but more as a caretaker of the
program while I’m here.”
—Emily King ’05 |
| Back
To May 2007 E-Newsletter |
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