Wakefield Shifts Hockey Duties to Don Leahy
Oct 13, 2004 | General
Interim athletic director Bill Wakefield said today that assistant athletic director Don Leahy will assume direct responsibility for ice hockey at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
"Don's vast experience with our hockey program and its beginnings, and his respect in the community makes this an easy decision," Wakefield said. "This is an important move for our hockey program and I am delighted to be able to secure Don for this position."
Leahy will oversee all hockey-related operations, working directly with the athletic department support staff and the hockey coaching staff.
Leahy has served as UNO's director of athletics on two separate occasions, from 1974-85 and from 1995-1997. During the latter period he coordinated support for the start of UNO's hockey program and the master plan for the addition of four new women's sports. He has been an assistant athletic director since June, 1997, working on various special projects under Bob Danenhauer. When Danenhauer resigned this fall to accept a position with Omaha Public Schools, Wakefield was appointed the interim athletic director.
"We feel this move will give the hockey program every opportunity to succeed at UNO," Wakefield said. "I think Don is excited about the shift in his responsibilities and is eager to get started."
Leahy said that he will devote his full effort to his new responsibilities.
"I'll do all I can to help move this program forward," he said. "Bob Danenhauer is a very special person who took the program to the next level. He cannot be replaced by one person now, or in the future. I think that it's logical for me to take over the hockey duties during the period of transition."
Maverick head coach Mike Kemp is looking forward to having Leahy more involved in the hockey operations as well.
"Don obviously did a great job in getting the sport started here," Kemp said. "He knows every aspect of our program very well and just having him involved again gives me a sense of relief. I know that he will be able to give his fullest attention to every detail. Everyone's efforts will be maximized by this move."
The Mavericks, who opened the season with a pair of wins in the Mutual of Omaha Maverick Stampede last weekend, have this week off before opening Central Collegiate Hockey Association play against Western Michigan Oct. 22-23 at Qwest Center Omaha.
"Don's vast experience with our hockey program and its beginnings, and his respect in the community makes this an easy decision," Wakefield said. "This is an important move for our hockey program and I am delighted to be able to secure Don for this position."
Leahy will oversee all hockey-related operations, working directly with the athletic department support staff and the hockey coaching staff.
Leahy has served as UNO's director of athletics on two separate occasions, from 1974-85 and from 1995-1997. During the latter period he coordinated support for the start of UNO's hockey program and the master plan for the addition of four new women's sports. He has been an assistant athletic director since June, 1997, working on various special projects under Bob Danenhauer. When Danenhauer resigned this fall to accept a position with Omaha Public Schools, Wakefield was appointed the interim athletic director.
"We feel this move will give the hockey program every opportunity to succeed at UNO," Wakefield said. "I think Don is excited about the shift in his responsibilities and is eager to get started."
Leahy said that he will devote his full effort to his new responsibilities.
"I'll do all I can to help move this program forward," he said. "Bob Danenhauer is a very special person who took the program to the next level. He cannot be replaced by one person now, or in the future. I think that it's logical for me to take over the hockey duties during the period of transition."
Maverick head coach Mike Kemp is looking forward to having Leahy more involved in the hockey operations as well.
"Don obviously did a great job in getting the sport started here," Kemp said. "He knows every aspect of our program very well and just having him involved again gives me a sense of relief. I know that he will be able to give his fullest attention to every detail. Everyone's efforts will be maximized by this move."
The Mavericks, who opened the season with a pair of wins in the Mutual of Omaha Maverick Stampede last weekend, have this week off before opening Central Collegiate Hockey Association play against Western Michigan Oct. 22-23 at Qwest Center Omaha.
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