July 24, 2014
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State head men's hockey coach Guy Gadowsky will be inducted into the University of Alaska Nanook Hall of Fame as part of its four-member Class of 2014, it was announced.
The Nittany Lion bench boss, who started his collegiate coaching career in Fairbanks, and his fellow honorees will formally join the athletic department's Hall of Fame during an induction ceremony at the Wedgewood Resort in Fairbanks, Alaska, Saturday, Sept. 27.
"The University of Alaska provided an extremely special time in my family's life. The great people of Fairbanks have an incredible love for Nanook Hockey and have always shown unwavering support for the program and of my family," said Gadowsky. "The memories and lessons from Fairbanks will always be a huge part of my family and coaching philosophy. I am incredibly grateful to receive this prestigious honor."
During his five-year tenure (1999-2004) as Alaska's head coach, Gadowsky rebuilt a program that had not won more than 14 games in its previous five seasons since joining the then-Central Collegiate Hockey Association. In his third campaign with the squad, Gadowsky led the Nanooks to 22 victories, the most for an Alaska team in the past 20 seasons, en route to 2002 CCHA Coach of the Year laurels. The program then captured 15 victories in 2002-03 and 16 wins during his final season.
Under his leadership, Alaska twice hosted the first round of the CCHA playoffs in a three-year span, a feat never accomplished prior to Gadowsky's arrival. His teams also set school records for team grade-point average, wins and game attendance. Gadowsky left Alaska with 68 victories, including 50 league triumphs.
Gadowsky, who spent seven seasons at Princeton (2004-11) before becoming Penn State's first head coach, will enter his 15th season at the helm of an NCAA Division I program in 2014-15. The bench boss will lead the Nittany Lions onto the ice for the first time Friday, Oct. 10 for the front end of a two-game series against UConn at Pegula Ice Arena. Gadowsky will then return to Fairbanks Oct. 17-18 when the Nittany Lions compete in the Brice Alaska Goal Rush.