Syer Joins Big Red Staff
ITHACA, N.Y. -- Ben Syer, who spent much of the last decade
helping build the Quinnipiac men's ice hockey program into a
perennial ECAC Hockey contender, has been named assistant coach at
Cornell University it was announced today by Mike
Schafer, The Jay R. Bloom '77 Head Coach of Men's Hockey.
Syer replaces Casey Jones, who recently accepted the head coaching
position at Clarkson University.
"I have a lot of respect for Ben," Schafer said. "His defensemen
have always been very well-coached. Previous assistants and other
coaches I've talked to respect his ability to recruit top
student-athletes. There is no question he is one of the top
recruiters in college hockey, so we're excited to bring a quality
coach on board to replace a quality coach lost."
"I am thrilled to join Coach Schafer's staff and the Cornell hockey
program," Syer said. "I want to thank Mike for the opportunity to
contribute to such a highly respected program. My family and I look
forward to moving into the area and becoming part of Cornell
community."
Syer served as Associate Head Coach during his 12 seasons at
Quinnipiac under head coach Rand Pecknold. During that run, the
Bobcats posted a 242-168-46 record with one NCAA tournament
appearance (2002) and nine 20-win seasons. Quinnipiac won the 2005
Atlantic Hockey regular season title and the 1999 MAAC regular
season and 2002 MAAC tournament championship crowns during his
tenure.
Quinnipiac reached the MAAC tournament semifinals in each of the
first four years of Syer's tenure, including three straight MAAC
finals appearances. Included in that span were the 2002 MAAC
tournament title and the first NCAA appearance in program history.
The Bobcats also won the MAAC regular-season title in Syer's first
year at Quinnipiac.
A native of Kitchener, Ontario, Syer arrived at Quinnipiac after
serving one season as an assistant coach at Ohio University. At
Ohio, Syer assisted with practice and game preparation as well as
recruiting.
A 1998 graduate of Western Ontario, Syer earned a bachelor's degree
in urban development. He also has prior coaching experience with
the North Middlesex Stars, a junior development team based in
Parkhill, Ontario. He earned his master's degree in physical
education with a concentration in athletic administation in
2000.
