2008 Woodie Awards
{Sports Briefs}
Compiled by Hannah Guillaume
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Hiring of Blair completes UAA hockey
ANCHORAGE €" UAA head hockey coach Dave Shyiak has hired Campbell Blair as an assistant coach July 17.
"Campbell is a very experienced coach with great hockey knowledge," Shyiak said. "He has done an outstanding job at Maine, helping them reach the NCAA Frozen Four three of the last five years. He has extensive recruiting background in all of North America and is a former head coach in the BCHL as well. His experience at the defensive position will help us in player development."
Blair comes to UAA after a five-year stint as an assistant at his alma mater, the University of Maine. The Black Bear defense is among one of the top ranked units nationally over the course of the last few seasons, including allowing a NCAA-low 1.56 goals per game in 2003-2004.
Black Bear head coach Tim Whitehead said Blair is a good fit for the Seawolves.
"Blair is a great person who relates well with the players. He is a fabulous coach and has played a big part in our success here at Maine. He's done an excellent job with our defensemen and has been an asset with video breakdown. His recruiting strengths are out west, which makes him an outstanding fit for the UAA program," Whitehead said.
A former head coach and general manager for the British Columbia Junior Hockey League's Victoria Salsa, Blair holds the most wins for a coach in the club's history, compiling a 105-73-16 overall record. Under his guidance Victoria earned one Island Division title, one Coast Conference and one BCHL title. He was also named the 1999-2000 Coastal Conference Coach of the Year.
The native of Prince George, British Columbia, earned an honors degree in education from Maine in 1991, and is currently pursuing a masters of science degree in exercise physiology from the University of Victoria. Blair's wife Kate is a former assistant coach with Maine's women's hockey team.
The hiring of Blair, along with the addition of Damon Whitten completes UAA's hockey staff.
"We are very fortunate to have found two quality people to add to our staff and community," Shyiak said. "Campbell and Damon bring enthusiasm and a common link of success at the national level. I am certainly looking forward to working with both of them and building a proud program for our fans and university."
-Courtesy of GoSeawolves.com
UAF's Karr appointed to NCAA hockey rules committee
Forrest Karr, director of athletics and campus recreation at UAF, has accepted a nomination to serve on the NCAA Men's and Women's Ice Hockey Rules Committee.
Current committee member Mark Johnson, head women's ice hockey coach at the University of Wisconsin - Madison, nominated Karr for the spot, which becomes vacant Sept. 1 when Jeff Vizenor of Minnesota State-Mankato (Division II) leaves the committee. The Division II Management Council in Indianapolis recently ratified Karr's appointment.
"I was honored to be nominated by Mark and look forward to serving within the NCAA governance structure," Karr said. "Hockey has taught me so much. This appointment is a wonderful opportunity to give back to a sport I passionately care about."
While Johnson's term on the committee will end in September of 2009, Karr's four-year term with the rules committee will commence Sept. 1 this year and go through Aug. 2010.
The committee is comprised of 13 members, 12 of who vote on rules and one non-voting rules-editing secretary. The general duties of the committee include talking with coaches, student-athletes, officials and administrators about play rules as well as attending as many games as possible.
-Courtesy of Great Northwest Athletic Conference
Seattle Pacific has best-ever finish in Directors Cup
Seattle Pacific University finished 14th in the final standings for NCAA Division II programs in the U.S. Sports Academy Directors Cup. It is the best ever finish by a GNAC school since the program was instituted in the 1995-96 season.
Meanwhile, Michigan's Grand Valley State University won its third consecutive Directors' Cup.
Developed as a joint effort between USA Today and National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), the all-sports competition awards points for an institution's NCAA Division II regional and national finishes.
Behind its NCAA-runner-up finish in women's soccer and semifinal advancement in men's basketball, SPU accumulated 405 points. The Falcons, whose previous best finish was 22nd in 1998-1999, rose 19 spots from last year.
Four GNAC teams placed among the Top 100 in the national competition, including Western Washington, which finished 34th with 316 1/2 points. Alaska Anchorage finished 78th with 188 points, its first Top 100 finish since placing 68th in 1996-1997. Central Washington placed 93rd.
-Courtesy of Great Northwest Athletic Conference