HURST COACHES IN IT FOR THE LONG HAUL By Joe Cuneo
- The allure Ryan sensed as a 24-year old assistant wasn’t just reserved for prospective student-athletes. It’s also served as the impetus for a number of coaches like Ryan to remain on the hill. In fact, 14 of 21 Mercyhurst head coaches have led their respective programs for at least 10 seasons, totaling more than 250 years of head coaching experience among them. This collective longevity makes Mercyhurst unique among other universities its size. Chris Ryan’s frst visit to Mercyhurst in the late 1990s left a lasting impression on the eventual head men’s lacrosse coach. “I remember the frst time I drove through the front gate telling myself ‘I can get students to come here,’” he said. “I recognized the potential immediately.” “It’s amazing that for a Division II institution, as many coaches have been here as long as they have,” Ryan said. “Most of the time at a small college like this, coaches view it as a stepping stone, so these jobs typically aren’t set up for this.” By no coincidence, Mercyhurst has retained its coaches while enjoying unprecedented success on the feld over the past decade. So, what is it about Mercyhurst that enables coaches to stay and win at the highest level?
According to 16-year women’s feld hockey coach Stacey Gaudette, you can credit the university's culture. “All the core values that come in the mission statement, like hospitality, aren’t just things that are listed on a sign on the wall like they are at other schools,” she said. “It might sound hokey but you really see them in the people here.” The importance of personal relationships, as referenced by Gaudette and echoed by her peers, refers not only to those between coaches and athletes but administrators, faculty and students as well. According to women’s hockey coach Mike Sisti, these connections should make those in the Mercyhurst community feel even closer to the teams, especially when they win. “I always tell people that they should share in it because everyone plays a role in us having the success that we’ve enjoyed,” he said. Sisti, who spent six years as a men’s assistant before coaching the Division I women’s program since its inception in 1999, cites the support he’s received as the main reason why he’s remained at Mercyhurst despite having chances to leave. “Over the years, I’ve had opportunities to leave for other places, but I’ve stayed all these years because there’s so many people who have been so supportive of us and have been there the entire time,” he said.
’ Top: Chris Ryan, men s lacrosse Bottom: Stacey Gaudette, women s feld hockey ’
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