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The Ohio State University Women’s Club Hockey Head Coach Jeff Cunningham, who has worked diligently to make the team a respected force in the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA), is stepping down after 6 seasons.
The team announced Coach Cunningham’s resignation on Thursday evening.
Coach Cunningham emotionally commented at the time of the announcement; “The past six years, spent working hand-in-hand with such a unique and special group of young women, have been some of the most fulfilling of my adult life. The Ohio State ACHA program is poised for both short and long term success. We’ve put together a fantastic recruiting class for this upcoming year and we have a plan in place that should enable future coaches and officer boards to operate efficiently and effectively for years to come.”
Also leaving the program is Assistant Head Coach Dan North. Coach North’s primary duty was overseeing the development of the team’s goalies, in addition to assisting Coach Cunningham in all other facets of the program.
Coach Cunningham led Ohio State's efforts in 2004 to re-associate with the Central Collegiate Women's Hockey Association (CCWHA) and its successful admittance into the ACHA. He and Coach North participated as ACHA Competition Committee Members and ACHA Ranking Committee Members.
The coaches share a lifetime record of 65-67-7 record which includes finishing 3rd in the CCWHA Tournament in '05, 4th in '06, 1st in '07, and 7th in '08. In addition, the team earned a 2005 final national ranking of 15th, 12th in '06, 11th in '07, and 13th in '08. The team has been ranked in the ACHA top 15 durint the last 14 consecutive ranking periods.
In Coach Cunningham ‘s tenure he has coached 3 ACHA All-Americans, 9 ACHA Academic All-Americans, 8 All-CCWHA players, and 1 CCWHA MVP. Fourteen players have successfully graduated from The Ohio State University during his tenure.
Likewise, Coach North tutored two All-CCWHA goalies.
In addition to serving as Head Coach, Cunningham oversaw team fundraising efforts, recruiting, and served as Director of the all-girls Buckeye Ice Breaker Hockey Tournament, held now annually each September in Columbus and stands as hockey’s premier early bird girl’s tournament.
Cunningham and North ACHA Coaching History
- 2004-05:10-17-1 Overall, 4th CCWHA Season, 3rd CCWHA Tournament, 15th Nat'l ACHA
- 2005-06:7-11-3 Overall, 3rd CCWHA Season, 4th CCWHA Tournament, 12th Nat'l ACHA
- 2006-07: 13-12 Overall, 3rd CCWHA Season, 1st CCWHA Tournament, 11th Nat'l ACHA
- 2007-08: 6-18 Overall, 6th in CCWHA Season, 7th in CCWHA Tournament, 12th in Nat’l ACHA
Although Coach Cunningham will remain on as Coach Emeritus and Program Scout his direct influence, leadership and dedication will be greatly missed.
Tom Maxwell, a long time past assistant to Coach Cunningham will rejoin the team as the new Head Coach. Jon Edwards, a long term volunteer to the program will join the team as an assistant coach.
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