Following the passing of women’s ice hockey Coach Bill Cahill just over two weeks ago, the Athletic Department was faced with the difficult task of replacing a dear friend quickly so that the hockey program would not suffer more than it already had.
“I am thrilled that John has accepted the position,” Athletic Director Ken Ralph said. “Bill established great momentum with our women’s hockey team and John has the energy, knowledge and work ethic to continue [the] program’s progress. He is more than ready for this job and I am very happy he will continue to serve our student-athletes in this new capacity.”
With the season starting this upcoming weekend, they did not have a lot of time, but fortunately they were able to find a well-qualified and capable candidate within their own ranks. The announcement was made Monday that men’s hockey Assistant Coach John Burke has been appointed interim head coach of the women’s team.
“I’m excited about the opportunity, excited to build on what Bill had built,” Burke said. “We’re going to get back to where we were last year, and maybe win that last game.” Last season, the women’s hockey team was 20-7-0 and advance to the ECAC Championships before losing to Manhattanville.
Burke started helping out with the team last week, and has been making plans for what he sees as a likely shot at a league title this season. He says he’s gotten a good chance over the past few days to really evaluate the women on the team and learn their strengths. “We’re going to use the same basic model as downstairs,” he said, referring to the men’s hockey office on the floor below. “But we will be implementing a few new things along with the old.”
He emphasized time and again the strange combination of tragedy and greatness that surrounded the promotion. “You’re excited and thrilled about the opportunity, but on a personal level it’s kind of strange.”
Burke has been with the men’s hockey program at RPI for eight years, and started his ninth with that program before last week. Burke began coaching at Worcester Academy in Massachusetts, where he led the team to an 18-4-1 record and the 1993 Division II New England Prep School Championship, earning the New England Prep School Coach of the Year Award. He then spent the next two years as an assistant coach at Hamilton College in Clinton, N.Y., before joining RPI’s staff in 1996.
When asked whether he thinks Cahill’s passing will affect the women’s play, he immediately shook his head. “When you think about Bill, a smile comes to your face since there were just so many good times around him,” he said. “There may be some sad moments at times, but on the ice they’ve been upbeat and positive. We’ve had some great practices.” Burke said that he thinks that the season opener, this Saturday at Union at 7 pm, will definitely give the team any boost it needs. The Engineers will play their home opener Saturday, November 1 at 7 pm.
