By Warren Kozireski —
The Tim Horton’s Iceplex in Rochester was dotted with hockey jerseys from Bowling Green, Oswego, Clarkson and Nazareth as hockey alumni traveled miles to be part of Nazareth head coach George Roll’s final home game as he retires following a 28-year college coaching career—all in New York State.
Roll started the program in 2012 and the Golden Flyers defeated Geneseo 3-2 in overtime in their first game. Full circle moment 13 years later and Nazareth again defeated the Knights 7-4.
“With the amount of guys who came back and the effort from our team tonight it’s very emotional when it’s the end of the road, but I’m so proud of the way we played tonight,” Roll said. “It’s very similar to the way we played when we beat them the first time.”
The Illinois native played four seasons with Bowling Green winning a national championship in 1984 before embarking on his coaching career beginning as a graduate assistant at his alma mater for one year prior to taking up residence in New York.
Seven years as an assistant at Clarkson University preceded his first head coaching job at Oswego State in 1996-97 and SYUNYAC title in 2003. Seven years later Division I came calling and Roll headed back to Clarkson as head coach and won a league championship in 2007. Eight years later and following a year off, he was charged with starting up the men’s hockey program at Nazareth College where he just wrapped up his 13th and final season.
“It was a special night and one that I will never forget. A lot of my Bowling Green friends came back from college, some Potsdam people; it just means a lot to me. You worry about the wins and losses so much, but it’s about the relationships and friendships that matter.
“I’m really thankful to be a part of Naz hockey; it’s been a great run for me.”
Hanging on his office door in the hockey locker room complex hangs a sign that says, “A good coach can change a year, A great coach can change a life.”
Indeed.
(Photo provided by Nazareth Athletic Department/Hockey Team)
