Richards named to D-II hockey All-Star team
Matt Jarvis
Issue date: 3/19/09 Section: Sports
Sacred Heart University senior Matt Richards, a forward on the Pioneer club ice hockey team, was recently named to the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) Division II All-Star team.
In just 14 games this season, Richards tallied 16 goals and 18 assists to lead the team.
Richards was once a member of Sacred Heart's Division I hockey team when he made the squad as a walk-on during his sophomore and junior years.
Entering his last year of eligibility this season, however, Richards was cut from the varsity team.
But since Sacred Heart offers a club sports program, Richards could continue playing the sport he loves at a high level.
"Being selected to All-Star team means a lot to me," said Richards. "After four years of playing hockey at SHU I've been through a lot, walking onto the varsity team as a sophomore and then unfortunately being cut as a senior. I am really excited that I am going to be able to end my college career on such a high note."
Sacred Heart offers 18 club sports as less stressful alternatives to playing on a Division I team.
All of the sports have a lighter practice schedule than Division I sports - about two to three times per week as opposed to 20 hours a week in a varsity sport.
According to Ray Mencio, the director of club sports, club sports is a way for athletes to continue playing beyond high school and still be competitive.
"Matt had an amazing season for us in our first full year in the ACHA," said Mencio. "His achievements mean a lot not only to all of the club sports but to Sacred Heart University. For Sacred Heart to be represented among the 172 teams in Division 2 of the ACHA is phenomenal."
The club ice hockey team at Sacred Heart had a unique situation at the start of their 2007-08 season.
Sacred Heart was one of a few schools that still had a junior varsity hockey team.
But at the beginning of the 2007 season, the junior varsity team was eliminated and, as a result, had to compete as a club sport at the Division II level.
"Division I hockey is like a job and comes with a lot of pressure," said Richards. "…I was fighting for a spot everyday for two years and it slowly became very frustrating and really took a toll on me. When I went down to the club team, the sport became fun again. I really think that was the biggest factor in why I had the season I had."
The ACHA All-Star Challenge takes place in West Chester, Pa. on April 3-5. A total of four games will be played over the weekend beginning on Friday evening.
The All-Star weekend will wrap up with placement games on Sunday morning to determine the final placement of teams and ultimately crown the top All-Star squad.
In just 14 games this season, Richards tallied 16 goals and 18 assists to lead the team.
Richards was once a member of Sacred Heart's Division I hockey team when he made the squad as a walk-on during his sophomore and junior years.
Entering his last year of eligibility this season, however, Richards was cut from the varsity team.
But since Sacred Heart offers a club sports program, Richards could continue playing the sport he loves at a high level.
"Being selected to All-Star team means a lot to me," said Richards. "After four years of playing hockey at SHU I've been through a lot, walking onto the varsity team as a sophomore and then unfortunately being cut as a senior. I am really excited that I am going to be able to end my college career on such a high note."
Sacred Heart offers 18 club sports as less stressful alternatives to playing on a Division I team.
All of the sports have a lighter practice schedule than Division I sports - about two to three times per week as opposed to 20 hours a week in a varsity sport.
According to Ray Mencio, the director of club sports, club sports is a way for athletes to continue playing beyond high school and still be competitive.
"Matt had an amazing season for us in our first full year in the ACHA," said Mencio. "His achievements mean a lot not only to all of the club sports but to Sacred Heart University. For Sacred Heart to be represented among the 172 teams in Division 2 of the ACHA is phenomenal."
The club ice hockey team at Sacred Heart had a unique situation at the start of their 2007-08 season.
Sacred Heart was one of a few schools that still had a junior varsity hockey team.
But at the beginning of the 2007 season, the junior varsity team was eliminated and, as a result, had to compete as a club sport at the Division II level.
"Division I hockey is like a job and comes with a lot of pressure," said Richards. "…I was fighting for a spot everyday for two years and it slowly became very frustrating and really took a toll on me. When I went down to the club team, the sport became fun again. I really think that was the biggest factor in why I had the season I had."
The ACHA All-Star Challenge takes place in West Chester, Pa. on April 3-5. A total of four games will be played over the weekend beginning on Friday evening.
The All-Star weekend will wrap up with placement games on Sunday morning to determine the final placement of teams and ultimately crown the top All-Star squad.
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