Mark Taylor

March 10, 2004

GENEVA, N.Y.—The Hobart hockey team has enjoyed unprecedented success this season, including the program’s first ECAC West Championship and NCAA Tournament berth. The show of support from the Colleges community, the Geneva community, and the nationwide alumni network has been overwhelming and invigorating for the team, said Head Coach Mark Taylor.

“All year long I have received e-mails and phone calls from alums and quite frequently I have used their words to inspire and commend the team,” said Taylor, who was picked ECAC West Coach of the Year. “They’ve had more of a hand in this year’s success than they probably know.”

Prior to the team’s regular season finale against RIT, Taylor carried with him an e-mail from former Statesman John Gluek ’03. It read, “Revenge is sweetest when it’s cold.”

Sweet it was, times two. The Statesmen closed the regular season at “The Cooler” with a come-from-behind 5-4 win over the Tigers and, two weeks later, skated past their league rivals 3-1 to capture their first conference championship in front of the largest home crowd in Hobart history.

“We’re trying to do this thing right and it’s great to know others appreciate and gain from it,” Taylor said. “It’s gives us a heightened sense of purpose, representing former players and facing the challenge of raising the bar.”

“You have to take pride in your legacy.”

A two-time finalist for the AHCA Coach of the Year Award, Taylor has long-thought his true talent was carpentry, but “coaching is just a lot more fun.”

“When you get congratulating phone calls from important people like former Hobart Hockey Coach Charlie Boswell ’50, President Mark Gearan, Trustee Dixon Kunzelmann ’64, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees Charlie Salisbury ’63, it only deepens the sense of pride I have in this program.”

One of the most energizing calls was from General Manager of Campus Dining Services Paul Zaroogian. “He was all fired up and I loved it,” Taylor said.

The biggest challenge in dealing with Hobart’s success on the ice? Getting back to all of the well wishers.

“I will in time. The good thing is I know, as a former player myself, they just want us to keep playing well, get some more wins, and enjoy the moments.”