A school-record three 20-win seasons in a row.
Consecutive Atlantic Hockey Conference playoff championships.
Back-to-back appearances in the NCAA Tournament’s elite eight.
Yes, Air Force recruits very good hockey players and does a masterful job developing them into even better players, but one often-overlooked ingredient to the Falcons’ success is their staff. And by staff we’re not just talking about the coaches. They’re good – and widely respected in the hockey coaching universe.
But they will be the first ones to tell you that there are many more people who play key roles in the Falcons’ success. It’s a long list, but it includes athletic trainer Erik Marsh, equipment manager Robert Rush, assistant strength and conditioning coach Drew Bodette and assistant athletic director – media relations Dave Toller to name four.
“The head coach is just a point person, the guy you always hear and see, but our teams win because we have great staffs, who help make us great coaches,” Falcons coach Frank Serratore said. “Obviously, you’ve got to have good players, but a great staff enables you to have a great team culture. The staff fosters and facilitates that.
“From the head coach to the equipment man to the trainer to the sports information director, everyone on the staff interacts with players every day.”
MORE: Part 1 of Keeping the Falcons well equipped
Part 2 of Keeping the Falcons well equipped
Grade A chemistry
And that makes how the coaches and staff interact with each other, as well as the players, all the more important.
“It’s important to have people on your staff who enjoy being together,” Serratore added. “Having great chemistry within your staff will have an impact on the players.
“If not, it’s going to have an adverse effect on everyone.”
For Serratore, it starts with his coaching staff, something he, obviously, had a huge say in.
“There is a reason I hired Andy Berg, there is a reason I hired Joe Doyle, a reason I hired Paul Weisgarber,” the coach added. “Yes, they’re passionate hockey people, but these are people I like to spend time with.”
All three assistant coaches played for the Falcons, and Doyle has spent more of his life at the Academy, employed by the Academy and in active service than he has as a civilian. Berg is nearing that tipping point.
Doyle graduated in 1989, spent 20 years in active duty and won numerous awards for his work. In between, he has been assistant three times (1994-98, 2002-06 and 2013-present).
Berg graduated in 2003, spent seven years on active duty, including a season as a graduate assistant, before returning as a coach. He’s entering his 12 season as an assistant.
Together, they are the backbone of the Falcons’ recruiting efforts, filling the pipeline with individuals dedicated to their country, the Academy and their teammates.
“Joe and Andy are always out and about at showcases, scouting and recruiting,” Serratore said. “I can’t tell you the number of experienced assistant coaches I’ll see who say, ‘I saw your guys here or there. I love being around those guys.’
“People are constantly complimenting me on them.”
Weisgarber is a former two-time captain who graduated in 2012 and after getting his masters degree returned to the Academy to teach business courses while double shifting as a volunteer assistant.
Experience counts
Four other key members of the staff collectively bring nearly another 85 years of experience just at the Academy. Toller has been at the school since 1990 and has worked with every single sport in the AFA athletic department at one time or another. He’s won numerous national honors for his writing and publications.
If that’s not enough, he’s served as the radio analyst for Falcons hockey broadcasts since 2001.
Marsh landed at the Academy in 1994 and in addition to his work with the hockey team, he spent 22 seasons helping with the football program before assisting with the golf team.
Rush came to AFA four years later and is entering his 21st season at the Academy and 17th with the hockey team.
And Bodette is the relative newcomer, entering his 11th year at AFA and third with the hockey team after extensive Division I experience elsewhere.
“I got lucky with Marshy, Rushy, Dave and Drew,” Serratore said. “They were hired by the Academy to do their jobs, and they have fit into our staff like a glove. It really has been the perfect storm.
“Your staff is your team – all of the people collectively.
“I doubt there is a staff in the country with the longevity we have. It reinforces the fact of what a good place this is to work, and how good the people are who work here.”
NEXT: The Flight goes behind the scenes with ‘Rushy’
©First Line Editorial 2017-18