Inching Closer To A Return

While there are still a pile of details in the air regarding the return of hockey to Robert Morris University, there was another layer added to the solid foundation the programs appear to be laying added today. If you're a listener of The Hockey Show, you'll recall Jenna and I talking about how the programs were looking to hire coaches for the upcoming season, and former men's head coach Derek Schooley made it clear that he wanted to hold that position again. Well, it seems that the hockey programs will be in good hands moving forward because it was announced today that the programs would be in Derek Schooley's hands for the foreseeable future!

Schooley was named head coach of the men's hockey team and director of both the men's and women's hockey operations on Tuesday afternoon. This is a good move by Robert Morris athletic director Chris King as he recognizes the importance of Schooley to the men's team and the overall health and sustainability of the programs at the school.

"Naming Derek as the head coach and director of operations for both teams adds stability as we continue to work with the Pittsburgh College Hockey Foundation in the goal of reinstating both teams," King said. "Derek is synonymous with hockey at Robert Morris is well-respected in the Pittsburgh hockey community and beyond."

Schooley, it should be noted, has been the only head coach in Robert Morris men's hockey history, joining the program in its infancy in 2003 until the program's dismissal last season. Bringing back a man who knows the ins and outs of the program, including the challenges of starting a program from the ground up, is a shrewd move by King, and Schooley will know how to navigate those waters.

Joining Schooley in the rebuild of the programs will be a woman who has all sorts of name recognition as Brianne McLaughlin will assume the role of Special Assistant for Hockey Operations as she works with the Pittsburgh College Hockey Foundation and Robert Morris in their fundraising efforts to create a sustainable and long-lasting legacy for both programs.

"I'm excited to work more closely with the Robert Morris athletic department in an effort to get these teams back," McLaughlin said. "They mean so much to us and the hockey community, and I'm hopeful we can get them back on the ice."

While the programs seemingly are operating independent of the university right now, that bridge will have to be crossed as some point when it comes to finding out how the hockey teams will fit into the university's plans moving forward. As we know, Robert Morris University President Dr. Christopher Howard still sits atop his lofty perch at the school, and it seems that the idea of a petition to have him removed has done little to sway those who hold that power.

While I seriously doubt that Dr. Howard would interfere considering the swift and brutal backlash he took when he cut the programs the first time, my hope is that Robert Morris can hit the ground running this year when it comes to player recruitment and having the NCAA schedule them for games in 2022-23. As Jarrod Prugar wrote in his article, "[t]he university is still looking to raise a total of $1.4 million in immediate contributions and another $1.4 million by December 15" so there are still some financial hurdles to clear.

What is certain is that having two people like Schooley and McLaughlin laser-focused on their jobs will certainly help in a big way when it comes to restoring the Robert Morris Colonials hockey programs. Both are passionate and dedicated to the RMU hockey programs, and that passion is something that RMU has been needing since the effort to restore the programs began.

While it may be taking longer than anticipated, the fact that the effort to restore Robert Morris hockey is moving forward is a good sign. We're closer to having Robert Morris hockey back than we were before, and that's the best news of the day!

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!