Rochester Institute of Technology women’s coach Scott McDonald has signed a five-year contract extension that will run through the 2019-20 season.
In nine seasons as head coach at RIT, McDonald has an overall record of 186-72-23, including winning the 2012 Division III national championship. In just three seasons as a Division I program, he has led RIT to two CHA championships, and in 2015, RIT’s first berth into the NCAA tournament.
Overall, McDonald has a 21-8 mark in the postseason since taking over at RIT in 2006, leading the Tigers to four NCAA tournament berths (2007, 2011, 2012, 2015), and four league titles (2011, 2012, 2014, 2015). McDonald is the Division III all-time leader with a .835 winning percentage and is RIT’s all-time leader in coaching victories. McDonald is just 14 wins shy of 200 heading into the 2015-16 season
“Scott McDonald brought our women’s hockey program to the national forefront at the Division III level with a national championship and now is doing the same at the Division I level,” said RIT executive director of athletics Lou Spiotti in a news release. “He is clearly one of the top coaches in all of college hockey and has molded teams, forged leaders, and built a lasting foundation here at RIT.”
“I would like to thank President [Bill] Destler, Dr. [Jim] Watters, Dr. [Sandy] Johnson, and Mr. Lou Spiotti for their incredible support,” added McDonald. “It’s comforting to know that the entire administration from the president on down believes in the direction of our program and the forward progression we have made in such a short time. It is an honor to be at RIT.
“We have a great administrative staff, everyone behind the scenes who helps us run a first-class organization. I am fortunate to have a tremendous group of student-athletes, past and present, who have enjoyed success not only on the ice, but in the classroom, and that has been proven, time and time again. I would also like to thank our great RIT fan base and Rochester community. Their support is second to none and makes our rink one of the most electric atmospheres in Division I.”
Under McDonald’s tutelage, the Tigers have not only excelled on the ice and in the classroom, but have become active members in the community. The women’s hockey program has participated in several fundraising initiatives for organizations such as CURE Childhood Cancer, Autism Up, “One Team One Fight,” and the Testicular Cancer Foundation of Western New York.
McDonald is also the only person in NCAA history to play at the Division I and III level, and coach at both divisions on both the men’s and women’s sides.
