AHCA RELEASE

GLOUCESTER, Mass. – The American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA) announced its 2017 Major Awards on Jan. 12, naming Oswego State men's ice hockey legend Pete Sears its John Mariucci Award recipient. John Mariucci, the former coach of the University of Minnesota, was a driving force behind the growth of hockey in the United States. In 1987, the AHCA created the award to honor a secondary school association coach who best exemplifies the spirit, dedication and enthusiasm of the "GODFATHER OF U.S. HOCKEY," John Mariucci.

Sears, a member of the inaugural Oswego State Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2001, was both a hockey player and coach for the Lakers. His playing career started in 1966 before being interrupted by his service with the U.S. Army for the Vietnam War from 1967-69. At that time, Sears returned to Oswego and finished his collegiate career from 1969-71. He followed that by trying out and making the 1972 United States Olympic Team, where he helped the squad win a silver medal in Sapporo, Japan. After his Olympic experience, Sears played three years of professional hockey.

The Lake Placid, N.Y. native began teaching American history at Oswego middle school in the mid-1970s and spent the next 33 years informing the minds of local seventh and eighth graders. Many of those students went on to play hockey for Sears, who began coaching the Oswego High School hockey team in 1979. His tenure as varsity head coach lasted until 1998.  

"A lot of the kids that I had in middle school then went on to high school and they became my hockey players, so I knew quite a few of them before I ever even coached them in high school," Sears recalled. "I'd like to think that most – or even all – of the kids remember some parts of the teaching or coaching and have applied it in their lives."

Among his accomplishments: 10 league titles, five sectional titles, four New York State (NYS) regional championships, three-time NYS finalist along with nine NYS Section III sportsmanship awards. Sears was awarded the Peter Rush Award from NYS hockey for outstanding service and commitment to the growth of hockey in NYS. He has been inducted into several Halls of Fame. Aside from the aforementioned Oswego State Athletics Hall of Fame, Sears also belongs to the NYS Hockey, Oswego High School and the Blueline Club Halls of Fame.

"Coaching is teaching, and teaching is coaching. I think they go together," stated Sears. "When you're dealing with kids, you have to understand their way of looking at things is day-to-day and I think you try to get them to see the big picture. I was very fortunate to be in Oswego, New York – the right place at the right time – and to have great kids who were willing to buy into my philosophy and culture."