Buddy Powers is back in coaching.
The current director of the BGSU Ice Arena and a former head hockey coach at Bowling Green has been named
an assistant coach at reigning NCAA champion Boston University, his alma mater.
He’s a native of Hyde Park in suburban Boston and played for the Terriers from 1972-75.
The 57-year-old will start his new job next week. Powers’ move to BU became official Tuesday after it was
first rumored four weeks ago.
Although Powers hasn’t been in coaching the last six seasons, he’s remained an avid fan of the sport and
continued to be well connected with those in the sport. Opposing coaches and NHL scouts often visited
Powers in the Ice Arena before Falcon games.
He was an analyst on BG’s home games that were televised by a cable television station in Toledo.
Powers also was the director of Forrest Creason Golf Course and taught hockey classes at the university.
"I’ve always loved coaching. I thought that itch would go away when I got out, but it didn’t,"
said Powers, who was BG’s head coach from 1994-2002 and also was an assistant coach on BG’s 1984 NCAA
championship team.
He was a BG assistant from 1982-88 and has coached for a total of 22 years.
"I just missed that daily interaction and the camaraderie with the players and the coaching
staff," Powers said. "I like teaching and helping the kids develop as players and as people.
Every year as a coach you’re working to find out what’s the best we can do with this given group of
players and try to have a method to get there. "
All three of Powers’ children have now graduated from high school, the last being Caroline earlier this
year. She’ll be a freshman at Michigan State in the fall. His other two children, John and Barbara,
attend BG. John is a senior and Barbara is a junior.
Buddy’s wife, Lindy, will remain in BG for the time being. Buddy Powers will temporarily live with his
two brothers in Boston until he and Lindy can find a house.
He replaced David Quinn, who was named the head coach of the American Hockey League’s Lake Monsters.
Powers thought about the job for a week before applying.
Powers said his decision to leave BG came with mixed emotions because of his family’s love of the
community, but it had nothing to do with the uncertain future of the Ice Arena and Falcon hockey
program.
"Despite the fact I wanted to get back into coaching, it was only going to be if the situation was
right," he said. "It’s not like I was seeking out jobs every year. The timing all came
together and this is a great situation for me. Boston University is a place I’ve always loved. I never
expected this to happen."
BU is expected to be ranked in the top five of both major polls at the start of next season The Terriers
were 35-6-4 overall and won the Hockey East championship with an 18-5-4 record last season. They
finished first in both major polls.
Powers, a 1975 BU graduate, was a hard-working left wing with the Terriers, totaling 14 goals and 26
goals in 96 games. BU was third in the NCAA playoffs in each of his final two seasons and was 49-13-1
during those two seasons.
Powers has remained good friends with BU head coach Jack Parker, who coached Powers during his final two
seasons with the Terriers.
This season, BU will face arch-rival Boston College in an outdoor game at Fenway Park on Jan. 8. The NHL
will host its annual outdoor game on Jan. 1 when the Boston Bruins host the Philadelphia Flyers. The ice
will remain at Fenway through the week between the games and the week may include more fan events,
including public skating at Fenway.
"That’ll be a tremendous event. I’m really looking forward to it," Powers said.
