FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Brady Led the Greyhounds for 10 Seasons.
MANSFIELD, Mass. - The Northeast 10 Conference mourns the loss of Lance Brady, former Assumption men's ice hockey coach, who lost his battle with cancer earlier this month. Brady led the Greyhounds to their first and only NE10 Championship in program history in 2017.
"We were saddened to learn of Lance's passing," said NE10 Commissioner Julie Ruppert. "He was a dedicated coach in this league for many years and contributed greatly to the stability of ice hockey in our conference, the only Division II to sponsor the sport. His legacy at Assumption will live on for years to come."
Brady spent 10 years behind the bench for the Hounds, winning 99 games and helping lead the team back to prominence in the NE10 during his tenure. His teams won 11 or more games on five different occasions, including a pair of 15-win campaigns. He was also selected as the NE10 Coach of the Year three times while coaching two of the last three NE10 Players of the Year and the 2017-18 NE10 Defenseman of the Year. During the 2016-17 season he led his team into the NE10 Tournament as the No. 4 seed, and then took down a pair of higher seeds on the way to the program's first NE10 Title. In his final season with the program, Assumption went 15-10-2, its highest win percentage in over 20 years.
"As head coach of the men's hockey team, Lance Brady was not only committed to players' excellence on the ice, but also in the classroom," said Assumption College President Francesco C. Cesareo, Ph.D. "He was a valuable member of the Assumption College community who positively impacted many student-athletes during his 10 years at the College. The College community expresses its deepest condolences to the family of Coach Brady. "
Off the ice, Brady's teams excelled in the classroom and posted a GPA over 3.0 three of his last four years. Men's ice hockey has also held special awareness games to raise money for important causes and over the last three years they raised over $10,000.
Brady was a standout hockey player in his own right at nearby Holy Cross, where he earned ECAC East All-Star honors and served as a captain his senior season. He graduated in 1993 with a degree in economics. Following his time at Holy Cross he played with multiple teams in the ECHL, AHL and IHL, including the 1997-98 season with the Birmingham Bulls of the ECHL where he was an all-conference performer as well an assistant coach with team. Prior to Assumption, Brady spent a season as the associate head coach at nearby Becker College.
"Lance was a genuinely great hockey guy," said ice hockey head coach Michael Looney '12. "He had a larger than life presence, a cannon of a shot, an unparalleled work ethic, and a sometimes intimidating snarl, as well as big heart for his players, coaches, teammates, friends, and family. I cannot begin to thank Lance enough for the opportunities he gave me as a player and a coach, and will forever cherish the bear hug we shared after winning the NE10 Championship in 2017. I am forever grateful to him for the lessons he taught me in hockey and in life. Our thoughts and prayers are also with the Brady family during this difficult time. Lance I love you and will miss you. Rest in Peace."
-Information for release provided by athletic communications staff at Assumption-
ABOUT THE NE10
The NE10 is an association of 15 diverse institutions serving student-athletes across 24 NCAA Division II sports. Together we build brilliant futures by embracing the journey of every student-athlete.
Each year, 4,500 student-athletes compete in conference championships, making the NE10 the largest DII conference in the country in terms of sport sponsorship. Leading the way in the classroom, on the field and within the community, the NE10 is proud of its comprehensive program and the experience it provides student-athletes.