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Steve Freeman - Head Men's Hockey Coach |
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Aug. 28, 2006 Steve Freeman begins the 2006-07 season, his 11th as head coach, as the leader of one of the elite powerhouse programs in the nation. Freeman received a seventh Coach of the Year award in 2006 - he was named the WIAC Coach of the Year for the fifth time in his career. He is the winningest coach in UW-River Falls hockey history and that was accomplished in just six seasons. Freeman needs just one win to reach the 200 career win mark. He became the winningest coach in the shortest period of time than any other UW-RF hockey coach. His teams have averaged nearly 20 wins a season during his tenure. In the NCAA Div. III, Freeman is fifth in winning percentage (.688) of active coaches. His winning percentage is better than any NCAA Div. I coach. His 199 career wins ranks him 22nd in the NCAA Div. III. He has accomplished that ranking despite having coached fewer years than any other coach in the top 25 list. Freeman has coached in a Falcon program that has played in five NCAA Frozen Four National Championships, nine NCAA National Tournaments and 10 NCHA Peters Cup Final Tournaments. He was named the NCHA Coach of the Year in 1999 and 2003 and was the WIAC Coach of the Year in 1998, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006. Freeman was the No. 1 assistant for seven years and has always played a key role in the team's great success. His recruiting and leadership over the years have made the Falcons a powerhouse in Div. III hockey. The Falcons won the 1994 NCAA National Championship and participated in the NCAA Frozen Four in 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996 and 2001. The Falcons placed second in 1993, were third in 1995 and 1996 and placed fourth in 2001. His work ethic and enthusiasm for the game has helped create a winning atmosphere in the Falcons locker room where players know what is expected from them both on and off the ice. Freeman, a career coach, draws on his vast coaching experience from stops at the high school, Junior A and college levels to teach and motivate. He previously was a head coach/general manager in the United States Hockey League. He served as head coach at St. Mary's Springs High School where his team won a State championship. He also had great success at Stevens Point High School where his teams made several state tournament appearances. He led his teams to four conference championships. He has also coached select teams in international competition. The New Brighton, Minn., native played hockey through the high school, Junior A and college levels. He has been involved with hockey symposiums and clinics both in the United States and internationally. He has often been a guest speaker/instructor at U.S.A. Hockey clinics. Freeman has a master's degree in education and professional development and is a respected instructor in the Health and Human Performance department. He and wife Deb reside in River Falls. |
The Freeman File
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