Moses Brown Announces Next Head Coach of Boys Varsity Ice Hockey Program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PROVIDENCE, RI (June 3, 2014) – Moses Brown School Director of Athletics, Jeff Maidment, has announced the hiring of MB Alumnus Lou Izzi, formerly Head Coach of Nichols College, as the next Head Coach of the Boys Varsity Ice Hockey program. Named ECAC Northeast Coach of the Year 2 times and New England Hockey Writers Coach of the Year 3 times, Izzi brings more than 15 years of college head coaching experience to lead the Quakers in the New England Prep School Athletic Conference (NEPSAC).

With more than 200 college victories, Izzi spent 8 seasons leading the resurgence at Nichols College as their Head Coach. Prior to Izzi’s arrival, the Bisons suffered through more than 26 straight losing seasons. Starting in his second year, his teams won 80 games over the next 4 seasons setting a school record with 20 wins in 2008 and 25 wins in 2009, while capturing the ECAC Northeast Title which marked the school’s first appearance in the NCAA tournament. Izzi remains the program’s winningest head coach.

“Lou is a great choice for Moses Brown,” said Maidment. “He has been tremendously successful, a great motivator, knows how to build programs and has a strong emphasis on academics which is exactly what Moses Brown looks for in their coaches.”

“Our expectations for the program are to attract student athletes of the highest caliber who contribute to Moses Brown and the surrounding community, while continuing to build on the hockey program’s long tradition of success. As an alumnus, past standout player and Captain for MB in the 1980‘s, along with being part of the Division 1 hockey program at Providence College, Lou will bring a passion to the program and fully understands the core values and unique environment Moses Brown offers its student athletes. We are thrilled to have him back at MB.”

“Lou is the right coach at the right time to bring the Moses Brown program forward,” said retiring Head Coach Larry Tremblay. “The success of this program and all the players I’ve coached for more than 18 years has meant a tremendous amount to me. I’m happy it’s being handed off to a coach that is part of the Moses Brown family. I have no doubt Lou will soon have this team competing with the best programs in the prep division by attracting high quality players. Those players and families will appreciate a Moses Brown education balanced with high quality athletics. I’m looking forward to supporting the program anyway I can in the future.”

“As an alumnus, I’m extremely excited to be back at Moses Brown and have the opportunity to build on the momentum created by Coach Tremblay,” said Izzi. “Our mission is to compete with the elite ice hockey programs within the ultra competitive NEPSAC division. We want to be admired for our ability to balance strong academic standards while still offering hockey at the highest level. Moving from the Rhode Island Interscholastic League back to the NEPSAC division was a big jump, but I know we will be successful. I take very seriously the responsibility Athletic Director Maidment, Head of School Matt Glendinning and Coach Tremblay have given me and will work hard to achieve our collective goals. I have a successful record of building programs at the college level and feel confident we can do the same at Moses Brown given all the school can offer players in Rhode Island and nearby Massachusetts and Connecticut.”

“My years of college head coaching experience has given me a clear perspective on what it takes to run a successful program and help kids develop as people and hockey players. I also know what it takes to get them to the next level to play in college or juniors if they have the talent and desire to try and make that jump. I’m excited to get going.”

Izzi takes over the Moses Brown hockey program from longtime Rhode Island schoolboy hockey coach Larry Tremblay. Tremblay, a graduate and player at Mount St. Charles Academy and Providence College in the late 1960’s, has been Head Coach at Moses Brown for 18 seasons. He is credited with resurrecting the dormant program in the 1990’s. Under his leadership the Quakers won the Rhode Island Interscholastic League Division 2 state championship twice before moving up to Division 1 where they captured the Eccleston Division 1 state championship in 2012. He was a driving force behind Moses Brown moving back to NEPSAC where his team won the Holt Division championship in 2014. He has coached and mentored many players who have moved on to play college and junior hockey, including Providence College standout Derek Army. Tremblay will remain Director of Hockey Operations during the transition.

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