Women's Hockey | 8/28/2013 8:21:00 AM
ROCHESTER, NY – RIT Head Coach #Scott McDonald announced that (Brantford, Ontario/Assumption Collegiate)Matt Woodard will join the women's hockey program as an assistant coach for the 2013-14 season. Woodard will assist McDonald and fellow assistant coach (Brantford, Ontario/Assumption Collegiate)Shivaun Siegl# in all aspects of the program.
"We are excited to have Matt Woodard join the RIT women's hockey program," said McDonald, who enters his eighth season behind the bench at RIT. "This is a huge step in the right direction for our program. During his collegiate, pro and coaching career, Matt has been able to work with great coaches, be exposed to a number of different styles and gain valuable knowledge in regards to all positions. Plus, over the past two seasons he has also had a chance to recruit at the NCAA level and develop a great network of contacts throughout North America."
Woodard spent the last two seasons at Manhattanville College, serving as the assistant women's hockey coach and recruiting coordinator. He helped lead the Valiants, a Division III perennial power, to a 33-18-5 record and back-to-back appearances in the ECAC East Championship game.
At Manhattanville, Woodard coordinated the Valiants recruiting efforts, both nationally, and internationally, conducted video analysis and film breakdown, monitored academic progress of his players, and managed and organized marketing and fundraising initiatives. In addition, he was in charge of defensive zone coverage and penalty-killing units.
"I am extremely honored to receive this opportunity to join the Tigers, and work with Scott and Shivaun," said Woodard. "The great reputation and prestigious tradition of the RIT Athletic Department, and its women's hockey program, is well known in the hockey world. I'm eager to start working with the players, for I have heard nothing but great things about the team chemistry and the passion to succeed."
Woodard played four seasons of Division I collegiate hockey for RIT men's rival American International College on defense, recording 29 points on six goals and 23 assists in 133 games played. His 133 games played are tied for fourth most in program history and are the most among all Yellow Jackets defensemen.
In the classroom, Woodard excelled, earning a double major in criminal justice and psychology. He was a four-time member of the Atlantic Hockey Association All-Academic Team and was the recipient of the ECAC Award of Merit for excellence on the field of competition and in the classroom. At Manhattanville, Woodard earned a master's degree in sports business management.
After Shivaun and I met with Matt, we knew that his enthusiastic personality and attention to detail was going to be a great fit to our staff and program," said McDonald. "We're excited to have Matt begin working with our student-athletes right away."
