It was recently announced that Lawrence University head hockey coach Dave Ruhly was fired. Following this announcement, his wife Moira Ruhly stepped down from her post as head coach of both the cross country and track teams.
Due to legal issues, Director of Athletics Robert Beeman was unable to comment.
The official reason for the termination of Dave Ruhly, who began coaching at Lawrence in 1999, is unknown.
Ruhly lives with his wife and their two children in Appleton. He has been very involved in the local hockey community and served on the board of directors at the Appleton Family Ice Center.
Before becoming a coach, Dave Ruhly played for the Providence College Friars. His leadership brought the Vikings to a second place finish in the Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association in 2004-2005 and third place finish in 2001-2002 and 2002-2003. Ruhly and his team emphasized that he consistently sought to recruit students both strong in academics and on the ice.
Hockey team member Adam Brand said, “We are going to miss him and wish him the very best of luck. We are very nervous but also excited for next season.”
Continued the freshman, “We hope that Mr. Beeman will find us a qualified coach that will ultimately shape us into the winning team that we know we can be.”
In an e-mail to the cross country team informing them of her decision to resign, Moira Ruhly wrote, “It’s a chain of circumstances that has been disappointing and my decision is very bittersweet.” She also mentioned the search for a new coach and assured the team that “the captains will be on the search committee.”
Moira Ruhly was the head coach of the women’s soccer team before taking on the track and cross country teams. She also earned the honor of 2001 Midwest Conference Coach of the Year and guided the soccer team to the MWC title in 2000.
Track team member Stephanie Kliethermes offered her thoughts on the change. “Coach has done an amazing job putting our team on a path for success and instilling confidence within our squad,” said the junior.
“We are sad to see her leave but are excited to have the opportunity for a new start and perhaps a new direction for this program that will lead to continued success,” continued Kliethermes. “She has begun to push this program in the direction it needs to go.”
Kliethermes also spoke of Moira Ruhly’s many accomplishments with the track team. “I think that the greatest impact Coach has made here at LU has occurred on an individual basis with each of the athletes she has coached. She is completely devoted to every athlete and their personal successes, which shows in the respect our team has for her as well as the improvement our team made this past year.
LU to seek new coaches for 2006-07
