One of the greatest responsibilities a league has is making sure all actions coincide with the mission and vision of the conference and its member institutions. This becomes even more paramount when deciding which significant figure would have his or her name attached to a league award.
This was a responsibility Atlantic Hockey and its member institutions undertook this summer once the new tournament championship trophy was in development. After a couple months of fielding nominations and discussing the potential impact each nominee would have as the named honoree on the championship trophy, one person stood out above the rest.
That person was none other than the legendary hockey icon Jack Riley.
“Bestowing the honor of naming the new Atlantic Hockey Tournament Championship Trophy after Jack Riley is one of the proudest moments in Atlantic Hockey history” said Commissioner DeGregorio. “Jack was an iconic figure at Army West Point and he exemplified the characteristics we, as a conference membership, value most of all; leadership, integrity, and respect. We cannot think of anyone better suited to name our championship trophy after.”
Mr. Riley, who passed away in February 2016, is the winningest coach in Army West Point hockey history and a two-time winner of the NCAA Coach of the Year Award. He spent 36 years on the bench of the Black Knights, retiring from coaching in 1986 with a 542-343-20 record. Two of his sons, Rob and Brian, succeeded him as coach of Army West Point, with Brian, a three-time Atlantic Hockey Coach of the Year, serving in that capacity since 2004.
“On behalf of the Riley Family I would like to thank Commissioner DeGregorio and the Administrators for naming the Atlantic Hockey Championship Trophy after our Dad” stated Army head coach Brian Riley. “He truly loved college hockey and was thankful for having had the opportunity to be part of it for so many years. There is no doubt that he would be both humbled and honored with having his name connected with not only the trophy but also with Atlantic Hockey. Once again on behalf of the entire Riley Family thanks to all those that made this happen.”
Jack Riley was also head coach of the United States Olympic Team in 1960, leading the Americans to their first gold medal in Olympic hockey history. Mr. Riley was recognized twice with the Lester Patrick Award for outstanding service to U.S. hockey, in 1986 and 2002, and is a member of both the U.S. (inducted in 1979) and International Hockey Halls of Fame (1998).
“We are very proud of the Atlantic Hockey heritage and part of that rich heritage is the outstanding coaching leadership we have enjoyed as a league” said Lou Spiotti, Chair of the Atlantic Hockey Executive Committee and RIT Athletic Director. “Our membership can boast some of the finest the game ever had to offer. Jack Riley certainly looms large in that regard. We are extremely proud to place his name on our championship trophy. It will add meaning and luster to the award as well as speak loudly about the quality of the overall membership.”
He is one of the most recognizable and respectable names in all of hockey and it is an honor to now have his name attached to the Atlantic Hockey Tournament Championship Trophy. The Jack Riley Memorial Trophy will be presented for the first time in Rochester, NY to the winners of the 2018 Atlantic Hockey Tournament.
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