Moving from assistant captain to assistant coach MacNamara joins Mandigo

Author: Peter Baumann

Less than a year after ending an impressive Middlebury women's hockey career that saw her play in four national championship games, Emily McNamara '07 will take on a new challenge this year when she joins Head Coach Bill Mandigo behind the bench. As the new assistant women's hockey coach, McNamara will transfer her extensive on-ice knowledge of the game to the coaches meetings, where she must adjust to planning and preparation instead of execution. As a captain her senior year, McNamara served as an important conduit between the coaching staff and the team, an experience that should serve her well in her new endeavors.

"[Emily and I] have known each other for quite a long time," said Mandigo, "so I think there is a good bond between us. She is very smart, and understands not only the game, but our style of play."

For a program with the success rate that women's hockey has enjoyed during Mandigo's tenure, it is important for new additions to the roster to feel some connection to the past. This is the second year in a row that Mandigo has brought back a recent graduate to serve as his assistant, as Katie Kogut '06 had that role last year.

"Instead of a coach who played fifteen years ago, when [Kogut and McNamara] speak, they do so with knowledge of the challenges that players face today," said goalie Lani Wright '10.

Mandigo anticipates that one of McNamara's greatest strengths, her proximity to the players, will also place her in difficult situations.

"There is probably going to be a little bit of regret that she is not putting on the pads to go out and play," said Mandigo,"but she understands who the players are, their strengths and weaknesses."