Telegraph photo by TOM KING Rivier University President Sister Paula Marie Buley holds up her new hockey jersey during the school's formal announcement Wednesday that it is adding men's and women's hockey beginning next year.

NASHUA – They officially dropped the puck at Rivier University on Wednesday.

Now they need players and coaches to skate in after it.

The school held a press conference to formally announce the addition of men’s and women’s hockey to its athletic program. Now, athletic director Joanne Merrill says the hard work begins, first with hiring coaches for both teams.

“I think we will do a national search,” Merrill said. “Go through the NCAA and all the other organizations we can. Our job posting will be up next week and we’re hoping to get somebody for sure by the end of the year.

“I’m hoping before Thanksgiving. That’s my hope. It’s got to be.”

That’s because the Raiders will need to recruit heavily to bring as many potential hockey players for both programs to the campus by next fall, which is when they want to have those teams begin competition on a club level. Then the plan is to go varsity for 2022-2023.

But during the pandemic, nothing is simple.

“It’s a leap of faith to do this,” Merrill said. “But some of the things that are happening, because of the situation we’re in, some of the junior hockey players are either not playing, or playing a reduced schedule, so they want to go to college. So it might be the right time for us to initiate it.”

Merrill said that Rivier has to take a national scope in its search, not only for coaches but for recruiting as well.

“I think you have to be,” she said. “You have to be even international a little bit.”

She added that national approach has helped men’s volleyball become a regional force, as Raiders coach and assistant AD Craig Kolek has gotten a few of his key players from California and other areas beyond New England.

As for coaches, Merrill said “Its got to be someone who’s very well connected with junior programs and clubs, and everything else. It’s got to be.”

Is there enough time in Merrill’s mind for the necessary recruiting to be done once the coaches are hired?

“Yes, I think so,” she said. “Traditionally, so many students don’t make a decision until May. I think that’s changed a little bit with the whole COVID situation. We’ve got to get on it, but we’ll be OK.”

The driving force for the move to add hockey, according to many on campus, came from Rivier VP of Enrollment Management Paul Brower,

“We’ve got so many rinks so nearby, it’s such a great opportunity to serve the community,” Brower said. “And really to improve the experience for Riv students. It’s a win-win on so many different levels.”

Brower said that the program will begin with a local emphasis first in its infant stage and then expand nationally

“Absolutely, as the program evolves,” he said. “We’ll start naturally locally but we’ll start building out quickly as we hire coaches, and really try to build a program here quickly. That’s the goal.”

Brower said that since the school first went public with its intentions in the last week to add hockey, there’s been a significant response.

“It’s been phenomenal,” he said. “We’ve already got hockey players who are interested in the program who have scheduled visits. We’ve already had folks reaching out about coaching opportunities. We’ve heard from some of the governing bodies, they’ve had us up on social media.

“It’s been great. With so many places challenged to grow. … It’s really going to help set the table for a strong future for the University.”

Merrill right now is focusing on hockey, but was asked whether or not she sees the school adding another sport — namely football — sometime down the road. Some in the local football community have been eyeing that possibility for awhile, and the addition of hockey has fueled some of that fire.

“I don’t, but, and part of it is our on-campus facilities,” she said. “We’ve got one field and in the fall you have three teams practicing on it (men’s and women’s soccer, plus field hockey).

“And even then it becomes a gender equity issue. I don’t foresee (football), but…

“I think (hockey) is a good addition for us.”

Newsletter