SoMnFan -> RE: Gopher Hockey (10/19/2011 5:34:41 PM)
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Don Lucia, the Gophers hockey coach who won two national hockey championships but has had difficulty more recently even getting back to the national tournament, has been given a contract extension through the 2014-15 season, the school announced Wednesday. Last week, Lucia said in a radio interview that he had signed a three-year contract extension, and that it was awaiting "a few signatures" before becoming official. "Don is a championship-caliber coach and is deserving of this extension," said U director of athletics Joel Maturi. "He has led the University of Minnesota to two national titles and recently battled through a significant illness." Lucia, 53, was gone much of the time for several weeks during the 2008-09 season due to sarcoidosis, an inflammation that affected a nerve on the left side of his face. "He is now totally healthy and fully committed to Minnesota," Maturi added. "I believe Gopher hockey to be the premier program in the country, and Don is the right man to continue to lead our student-athletes." Lucia won back-to-back national championships with Minnesota in 2002 and 2003. In 13 seasons at Minnesota, his record is 294-159-53. The Gophers have not qualified for the NCAA Tournament for the past three seasons. The Gophers have won all four games so far this season, their best start since 2001-02. "Our goal every year is for Minnesota to be a championship team, and we have been able to achieve the ultimate success twice since I have been here," Lucia said in a statement released by the school. "Some years we come closer to reaching our goals than others, but I am confident that we are headed in the right direction."
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