Shawn Walsh
Encyclopedia
William Shawn Walsh was the head ice hockey coach for the University of Maine
Black Bears.
Walsh was a third-string goalie for Bowling Green State University
. As a sophomore, he decided to concentrate on coaching as a volunteer assistant for the BGSU hockey team. He was graduated from Bowling Green with a bachelor's degree in education. He later earned a master's degree in the same field of study.
After completing his undergraduate studies, Walsh was hired as a full-time assistant coach at BGSU by Ron Mason
. Walsh followed Mason to Michigan State in 1979 where they inherited a program that had only won 36 games in its previous three seasons. After only five years, Mason and Walsh had guided MSU to three-straight NCAA Tournament appearances, back-to-back 30-win seasons and the 1984 Frozen Four--the school's first Frozen Four appearance in 17 years.
In 1984 Walsh took over a Maine program that had gone 27-65 in the three seasons prior. He built the program into a national power, winning national championships in 1993 and 1999. The 1992-93 Maine team finished the season with an astonishing 42-1-2 record. Maine was also national finalists in 1995. He coached Hobey Baker Award
winners Scott Pellerin
(1992) and Paul Kariya
(1993).
Walsh was suspended from coaching for one year starting mid-season in 1995-96 after a series of NCAA investigations. He returned during the 1996-97 season and quickly built Maine back into a national contender.
Walsh was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer known as renal cell carcinoma
in June 2000. At the time of his death he was only 46 years old. Walsh had a career record of 399-215-44.
University of Maine
The University of Maine is a public research university located in Orono, Maine, United States. The university was established in 1865 as a land grant college and is referred to as the flagship university of the University of Maine System...
Black Bears.
Walsh was a third-string goalie for Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green State University, often referred to as Bowling Green or BGSU, is a public, coeducational research university located in Bowling Green, Ohio, United States. The institution was granted a charter in 1910 by the State of Ohio as part of the Lowry Bill, which also established Kent State...
. As a sophomore, he decided to concentrate on coaching as a volunteer assistant for the BGSU hockey team. He was graduated from Bowling Green with a bachelor's degree in education. He later earned a master's degree in the same field of study.
After completing his undergraduate studies, Walsh was hired as a full-time assistant coach at BGSU by Ron Mason
Ron Mason
Ron Mason is a Canadian former ice hockey player, head coach and university executive. As head coach of various universities, notably including Michigan State University , he became the winningest ice hockey coach in NCAA history with 924 career wins...
. Walsh followed Mason to Michigan State in 1979 where they inherited a program that had only won 36 games in its previous three seasons. After only five years, Mason and Walsh had guided MSU to three-straight NCAA Tournament appearances, back-to-back 30-win seasons and the 1984 Frozen Four--the school's first Frozen Four appearance in 17 years.
In 1984 Walsh took over a Maine program that had gone 27-65 in the three seasons prior. He built the program into a national power, winning national championships in 1993 and 1999. The 1992-93 Maine team finished the season with an astonishing 42-1-2 record. Maine was also national finalists in 1995. He coached Hobey Baker Award
Hobey Baker Award
The Hobey Baker Award is an annual award given to the top National Collegiate Athletic Association men's ice hockey player.It is named for hockey player and World War I veteran Hobey Baker, who played collegiately at Princeton University and learned the game at St...
winners Scott Pellerin
Scott Pellerin
Scott Pellerin is a retired professional ice hockey left winger who played in the National Hockey League between 1992 and 2004....
(1992) and Paul Kariya
Paul Kariya
Paul Tetsuhiko Kariya is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey winger who played 15 seasons in the National Hockey League . Known as a skilled and fast-skating offensive player, he played in the NHL for the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, Colorado Avalanche, Nashville Predators and St...
(1993).
Walsh was suspended from coaching for one year starting mid-season in 1995-96 after a series of NCAA investigations. He returned during the 1996-97 season and quickly built Maine back into a national contender.
Walsh was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer known as renal cell carcinoma
Renal cell carcinoma
Renal cell carcinoma is a kidney cancer that originates in the lining of the proximal convoluted tubule, the very small tubes in the kidney that filter the blood and remove waste products. RCC is the most common type of kidney cancer in adults, responsible for approximately 80% of cases...
in June 2000. At the time of his death he was only 46 years old. Walsh had a career record of 399-215-44.