Sweeney Named First Head Women’s Ice Hockey Coach
Interim Director of Athletics Christine Lowthert has announced the hiring of Jack Sweeney as the head coach of Assumption’s Women’s Ice Hockey program. Sweeney, a seasoned hockey professional with more than 24 years of experience, including a board position of the national governing body of USA Hockey, recently served with the Eastern Hockey Federation.
The Women’s Ice Hockey program is one of three new Blue & White club sports at Assumption, which also includes Men’s Swimming and Esports.
As the head coach for the Women’s Ice Hockey program, Sweeney will be responsible for all aspects of sport instruction. He will also be tasked with the development and management of a comprehensive Blue & White sports program in a way that enhances and supports the student-athletes’ college experience and liberal arts education. Sweeney will also develop a local and regional recruiting network while monitoring the academic performance of the student-athletes.
“As a new Blue & White club sport on campus that has already attracted a number of competitive student-athletes, the Women’s Ice Hockey program is a key addition to Assumption’s many athletic offerings,” said Lowthert. “I am pleased that our inaugural team will be led by an individual with significant experience in collegiate hockey and who knows the importance of achieving excellence in the rink and in the classroom. We look forward to welcoming Jack to the Greyhound family and supporting him as he builds a program that will provide these women the opportunity to compete at the collegiate level while obtaining an education that will form them into graduates known for critical intelligence, thoughtful citizenship and compassionate service.”
“I am very excited to be joining the Assumption athletic department and I am especially excited about leading the Women’s Ice Hockey Program,” said Sweeney. “Having spent the past 24 years working in multiple hockey related jobs in New England I have always been aware of the quality education and first class athletic programs offered by Assumption. The beauty of the campus, the facilities and infrastructure, the campus life and of course the strong academic programs make this a very attractive place for student athletes. With all that Assumption has to offer I have every confidence that we will be able to quickly build a first class Women’s Ice Hockey program.”
Sweeney recently served as director of operations for the Eastern Hockey Federation where he oversaw the daily operations of the 5,000-member league. He also served as deputy commissioner of the United States Premier Hockey League in Nashua, NH, and head coach and general manager of the Walpole Stars/ South Shore Kings, a Tier III Junior A ice hockey team playing in the United States Premier Hockey League (USPHL).
With a keen interest in developing successful athletes, Sweeney has served in many roles with Massachusetts Hockey Player Development that include USA Hockey National Festival coach; Camp director for multiple Women’s select groups; instructor for the MA Hockey Coaches Education Program; a member of the USA Hockey National Junior Council; and a member of the board of directors for SCORE Boston (NHL Hockey is for Everyone Initiative).
His collegiate hockey experience includes assistant coach for the Iona College hockey team; assistant coach and head recruiter for Babson College’s hockey team; associate coach for Salem State University’s hockey team; and head coach of Worcester Polytechnic Institute’s women’s club hockey team. In these positions, Sweeney recruited top scholastic student-athletes and developed training programs that created high-performing players.
Sweeney received a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education from Salem State University; a Master of Education in Athletic Administration from Endicott College; and a Master of Arts in Peace and Conflict Studies from the University of Massachusetts Lowell.
The Blue & White Sports teams, including Women’s Ice Hockey, will compete against other schools in the region with the expectation of eventually competing at the highest national club level for their respective sport. A qualified coach leads each sport. For more information on Assumption’s Blue & White sports, visit the website.