We’re excited to have you join us here at Beloit College as a hockey coach for next year! Our whole campus community would love to get to know you. Can you tell us a little about yourself?
I grew up in Ontario, Canada and played hockey there, including two years of junior hockey in Ontario, then I played baseball and hockey at Northland from 2009-2013, graduating with a social studies education major, and taught school while also coaching hockey. Then I coached college hockey at West Virginia University for five years while my now-wife, Kristen Pechacek, was pursuing a Ph.D. in neuroscience. Then there was an opening at Northland College in summer 2023, and I took over the men’s team for the past two seasons.
How did you react to all of this recent news — both Northland closing and joining the program at Beloit?
I’m excited. When we got the news [about Northland’s closing], it was a tough pill to swallow, but as a coach, you always want to make sure you take care of your athletes. It’s been a lot of emotions, but the opportunity has been exciting, especially with how welcoming Beloit has been and how important it is to keep the Northland traditions. At the end of the day, we’re excited about starting something new and keeping the important aspects alive.
How did the team react?
The men reacted with excitement and relief. They decide if they want to go to school or go the junior route to play college hockey. Our program is so young; two seniors and two juniors next year. These guys worked hard to get to college hockey and they’re on board to start this new program. It’s been a good mood around here, and all things considered, that’s all we can ask for.
We’re grateful you’re joining the athletics program, Shane.
I’m so grateful to Beloit, Karen Schedin, President Boynton, and Coach DeGeorge for how well and quickly it’s been put together, as a coach and as an alum of the program. That history won’t fall by the wayside and will grow. To know that we can offer our students an incredible experience at Beloit in the classroom, as well as on the ice, is amazing. We can build something truly special at Beloit.
